Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Prince Adebayo Adegbola as the new Eleruwa of Eruwa land.
This was contained in a statement made available to the newsmen by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Tuesday.
The Commissioner said, according to a document by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, the stool of Eleruwa has remained vacant following recent legal proceedings, specifically the dismissal of Suit No. HER/10/23 by the High Court of Oyo State on 22 October 2024.
“In response to the circumstances surrounding the succession, I would like to remind everyone that the Laribikusi Ruling Quarters were unable to submit candidates within the stipulated timeframe as stipulated in Section 15(1) of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 of Oyo State,” Hon. Ademola Ojo said.
“Consequently, after due consideration, the esteemed discretion of His Excellency facilitated the Akalako Ruling House to be recognised as the next ruling quarters to nominate candidates.”
According to the release, after a thorough selection process, the Kingmakers of Eruwa convened and unanimously selected Prince Adebayo Adegbola from the Akalako Ruling House as the sole candidate to fill the vacant stool of Eruwa.
Prince Oyelade said that the last Eleruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola, was installed in 1998 but deposed on 29 November 2019 by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Commissioner noted that with the emergence of Prince Adegbola, the Seyi Makinde administration has now coronated 11 Kings and 40 Baales, which is a record in the history of the Yoruba Traditional Institution.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, seizes this occasion to call on all Eruwa sons and daughters to welcome the new Eleruwa and celebrate his ascension to the throne for the growth and prosperity of Eruwa land after 22 years.
GI’s Legal Corner
In Yoruba land, the coronation of kings is traditionally governed by customary law, which is based on the customs and traditions of the Yoruba people. Customary law plays a significant role in the selection, installation, and recognition of traditional rulers in Yoruba land.
In Oyo state, coronation matters are governed according to the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000 (as amended) provides for the selection, installation, and recognition of traditional rulers in Oyo State.
With this law, the Governor has the discretionary right and sole authority to specify those to wear beaded crowns without consultation with the Council of Obas and Chiefs of the state.
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