Appointment of Eleruwa of Eruwa constitutional – Ruling house insists

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Olurin Royal Family of the Akalako Ruling House in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, has reaffirmed that the installation of Oba Samuel Adegbola, Ajobo Olurin I, as the Eleruwa of Eruwa was done in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The ruling house emphasized that the selection of the monarch was a joint decision by the Eruwa kingmakers and was duly ratified by the state government.

The Head of the Olurin Royal Family, Chief Pade Babalola, made this assertion during a press briefing held in Eruwa on Friday.

His statement comes in response to an appeal by the Laribikusi Ruling House, which called on the governor to reverse the appointment of the monarch and threatened legal action.

According to Babalola, “The process that led to the emergence of Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa was legally backed and had the unanimous support of the kingmakers. There’s no cause for alarm. Nobody influenced anyone; the kingmakers exercised the power given to them, and they all agreed on the selection, which was subsequently authenticated by the governor.”

He stressed the importance of traditional institutions in societal development, particularly in addressing security challenges at the grassroots level.

“Traditional institutions play a crucial role in our society. Given the security challenges facing our country, the government alone cannot handle them. This is why we cannot afford to remain stagnant as a town. Some individuals, however, benefit from this stagnation and are fueling the crisis because it serves their interests,” Babalola stated.

He further criticized those opposing the installation, saying, “Many of them have turned themselves into Shakespeare. A person whose lineage has no connection to royalty will not appreciate the institution, and that is exactly what some people have become.”