The Olu of Ilaro and Yewa Paramount Ruler HRM Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle , MFR

Adetokunbo Fakeye

The Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, in Ogun State of Nigeria, HRM Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR has led Yewa traditional council as well as leaders of thought from the area to seek the support of the Egba traditional council for the 2019 Ogun governorship aspiration.

At the private meeting , Oba Olugbenle who was the immediate past chairman of Ogun State Traditional Council told Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland that his delegation was in Abeokuta to re-establish, reconfirm and reconcile the age long relationships between the two major groups in Ogun State for the social and political benefits of all in the State.

Oba Olugbenle recalled that since the creation of Ogun State some 42 years ago, no Yewa indigene had had a shot as the Governor of Ogun State whereas the Egba, Ijebu and Remo of Ogun Central and East senatorial districts have dominated the Ogun Government House.

The Paramount Ruler of Yewaland pleaded with the Alake for the support of the Egba people in seeing that a Yewa indigene becomes the next Governor of the State come 2019.

To butress his points, Oba Olugbenle presented to Traditional Council about four books written by Yewa academics on why the area should get the support of every part of the State to be the next Governor of Ogun State.

The Yewa paramount ruler argued that the Egbas are the closest to the Yewa people geographically, culturally and politically adding that the Alake’s influence could make the Yewa dream of one of their own becoming the Governor after Senator Ibikunle Amosun in 2019 a reality.

Responding, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, said that Egbaland had always been fair to all parts of Ogun State including the Yewa people as a whole.

Oba Gbadebo recalled that the students from the two areas belonged to Egba and Egbado Students Union.

Alake assured Oba Olugbenle that the Egba people would sustain its fair dealings with the Yewa and other parts of the state, praying that the dream of Oba Olugbenle and Yewa people of having their own person as the next Governor shall come to reality.

Kabiyesi added that it was only fair that the biggest political prize should go round all stakeholders in State.

In his remarks, the Onijale of Papa,  Oba Micheal Ajibola Babalola, said Yewa Obas and leaders of thought should put their house in order while seeking the cooperation of Egba people by ensuring that all Stakeholders come together in the quest for the leadership of Ogun State.

Traditional rulers with Oba Olugbenle to the Egba Traditional Council were Onimeko of Umeko, Oba B.O.A. Olanite, Obaladi of Afon-Yewa, Oba B.A.A. Adetona; the Onigbeji of Igbeji, Oba S.A.Adelakun; Olobi of Ilobi, Oba S.A.Ajibade; Onitoro of Itoro, Oba N.S.O. Fasina. Others were the Olu Imashau, Oba G.A.Oni; Abepa of Joga, Oba (Dr) Adeyemi ADELEYE and Onijale Ketu- Oba (Dr) B.B. Oyero.

The Alake of Egbaland was not alone in welcoming the Oba Olugbenle team, with him were Olu of Oke Odo-Ilupeju, Obama Mufutau, High Chief TosIn Fadare, Olori Parakoyi, Chief Kasimawo Laloko, and Aare Baaroyin, Layi Labode.