The Anikilaya and Gbelegbuwa ruling houses of Ijebu-Ode have declared their support for Prince Adedokun Ajidagba as the Olori-Ebi (family head) of the Fusengbuwa ruling house.
Prince Taheeb Mabadeje Alaga, head of the Anikilaya ruling house and chairman of the four ruling houses in Ijebu-Ode, and Alhaji Adelagun Anibi, secretary of the Gbelegbuwa ruling house, expressed their endorsement in separate interviews with journalists on Saturday.
They affirmed that Prince Ajidagba, alongside Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, the general secretary of the four ruling houses has long been performing the roles of Olori-Ebi and family secretary, even before the passing of the late Oba S.K. Adetona of the Ogbagba Anikilaya ruling house.
Prince Mabadeje recalled that a court had earlier ruled against Chief Lateef Owoyemi before Ajidagba’s confirmation as Olori-Ebi. He noted that their fathers held joint meetings of the four ruling houses decades ago and that he and Ajidagba are continuing in those footsteps.
According to him, “I have known Prince Adedokun Ajidagba for more than 40 years, our fathers were both members of the Anikilaya and Fusengbuwa ruling houses. I am 82years old with a solid Muslim background; I cannot see black and call it white. When our fathers held their meetings, we never imagined it would come to this stage.”
Mabadeje added that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, had rejected Chief Owoyemi’s claim to the Fusengbuwa family in a court ruling. “The records are there, Ajidagba has been functioning as Olori-Ebi of Fusengbuwa long before the death of Oba Adetona. Owoyemi’s father never attended our general family meetings.
“As chairman of the four ruling houses in Ijebu-Ode, I unequivocally recognize Prince Adedokun Ajidagba as the authentic Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. I cannot bend the truth,” Mabadeje stated.
He urged the state government and the Afobaje (kingmakers) to remain neutral and allow the family to choose a qualified candidate. “The government should not intervene in family matters, the family must present a viable candidate with deep roots, not a moneybag or outsider.” – Alaga said.
Alhaji Akeem Adelagun Anibi, secretary of the Gbelegbuwa ruling house echoed his support, saying the four ruling houses have been meeting together with Chief Ajidagba and Prince Adeleke as secretary. “During the recent ‘gbedu’ drum ceremony, the other three families; Gbelegbuwa, Fidipote and Anikilaya were present to honour them.
“Fusengbuwa family is undeniably connected to the Agunsebi Ile-Nla compound. I do not understand how someone from Idowa can claim to be Olori-Ebi in Ijebu-Ode. I regard him as an impostor.
“We have consistently supported Prince Adedokun Ajidagba since his emergence as Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, and we stand firmly behind him to present a credible candidate for the Awujale’s chieftaincy title.” – Alhaji Anibi asserted.
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