Eruwa, the headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area in Oyo State, came alive with pomp and celebration last week as a historic event unfolded—the official coronation of Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola, Ajobo Olurin I, as the new Eleruwa of Eruwaland.
Though he had received the staff and instrument of office from Governor Seyi Makinde in March 2025, the elaborate coronation ceremony took place on Saturday, June 28, at Eleruwa Stadium, Sango, Eruwa, drawing a massive crowd of dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, and indigenes from far and wide.
The week-long festivities leading to the grand event included traditional rites, cultural displays, a football tournament, and a musical concert featuring legendary Juju maestro Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and Fuji star Taye Currency. For many, it was a fitting celebration of not just a new king, but of a resilient monarch who overcame enormous odds to reclaim his place on the throne.
A Return Years in the Making
Oba Adegbola is no stranger to the Eleruwa throne. He was first installed as king in 1998 but was removed in 2019 following a Supreme Court ruling. The legal challenge, brought by the Laribikusi ruling house, questioned his eligibility based on lineage. The court held that he ascended the throne through the female line of the Akindele ruling house—a move deemed contrary to the chieftaincy declaration that gives preference to male-line descendants, unless none are available.
Following his removal, the Eleruwa stool remained vacant for six years. During that time, Oba Adegbola didn’t relent. He returned to the contest, this time under the Olurin family of the Akalakoyi ruling house—his paternal lineage. He emerged victorious in a fresh selection process and was reappointed, not as a reinstated monarch, but as a new king.
“My issue is not reinstatement,” the monarch clarified in a recent interview. “I am coming on board as a new Eleruwa of Eruwa with a new process. I give all glory and adoration to God Almighty who made this possible.”
In the days leading up to his coronation, Oba Adegbola struck a unifying tone in a Facebook message, calling for peace and collective progress:
“There is no victor and no vanquished. This is a victory for us all. As one royal family, let’s work together to elevate our great town, Eruwa.”
The Roots of the Crisis
At the heart of the earlier dispute was the interpretation of the chieftaincy declaration guiding succession to the Eleruwa stool. While there are two primary ruling houses—Akalakoyi and Olaribikusi—several sub-families have emerged under them. Oba Adegbola’s maternal roots trace back to the Ajao family of the Olaribikusi house, and it was through this maternal link to the Akindele branch that he first ascended the throne.
However, the law stipulates that a candidate from the female line is only eligible when no qualified male heir is available. This clause became the basis for his removal in 2019. By shifting to his father’s lineage, Oba Adegbola cleared any ambiguity and recontested successfully.
From Customs Officer to King
Born on January 15, 1952, Oba Adegbola hails from the royal family of Pa Bello Ayinla Adegbola and Mama Olalonpe Abeni Adegbola of the Olorin Compound in Oke-Oba Quarters, Eruwa.
He began his education at Islamic Primary School, Sango, Eruwa (1961–1966) and proceeded to Oke Ogun Baptist Secondary Commercial Modern School and Obaseku High School between 1967 and 1974, where he earned the best WASC result in his set. He later attended Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, graduating with an OND in Business Administration and Management in 1984.
Before joining the Nigerian Customs and Excise Department in 1976, he briefly worked as a teacher at his former school. His career in the Customs saw him serve across key formations including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Apapa Seaport, Tin Can Island, and border commands in Ogun and Borno states, before retiring as a Superintendent in 1998.
A New Dawn for Eruwa
With his coronation complete and his throne secure, Oba Adegbola now looks ahead to a reign focused on peace, unity, and development. For Eruwa, his return marks not just the end of a long interregnum, but the beginning of a fresh chapter anchored on resilience, tradition, and hope.
●Source: City People
