Society Gists

– Wale Onifade

Fresh details have emerged highlighting the widening gulf between the Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

According to sources within the palace and political circles, the once-cordial relationship between the revered monarch and the state’s chief executive has soured considerably—primarily over the issue of the proposed creation of a new state out of the old Ijebu Province.

It is alleged that Governor Abiodun has been subtly undermining the bill for the creation of the new state, recently sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the National Assembly.

Awujale, a staunch advocate for the creation of the state—with Ijebu-Ode as the capital—is said to be furious over Abiodun’s perceived manipulation of the Akarigbo of Remo and other stakeholders, sowing confusion over the matter.

The monarch reportedly believes the governor’s actions are driven not by a desire to protect the interests of the Remo people, but by a calculated political ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Notably, Remo leaders had already agreed to cede the state capital to Ijebu-Ode, as long as the name “Ijebu-Remo” reflects their inclusion in the new state structure. 

Palace insiders claim that at the height of his displeasure, the monarch considered convening a press conference to expose alleged irregularities and political misdeeds tied to the governor and his close allies.

That plan was eventually shelved after a palace source informed a former governor of the state , who swiftly intervened. Out of respect for the elder statesman, Awujale agreed to stand down, though his distrust of Abiodun remains palpable.

The monarch’s disapproval was most evident during this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, a major cultural event in Ijebuland. Breaking with a long-standing tradition, Awujale stayed away—an absence that sent shockwaves through the state.

Contrary to official statements citing health concerns, palace sources insist that the monarch’s decision was deliberate and rooted in his unwillingness to share the stage with Governor Abiodun.

Surprisingly, Governor Abiodun appeared unfazed by the monarch’s absence. In what many described as a show of defiance, he made a grand entrance to the festival grounds in a decorated horse-drawn carriage, flanked by aides and loyalists.

Dapo Abiodun had to sufficiently confirm that the monarch won’t be present at the festival before he decided to make such an entrance.
And he did this because his intelligence told him that Awujale won’t be able to make it down.
This was after the hailing king had rejected Dapo’s presence in his bedside for reconciliation.

His arrival was met with loud cheers from supporters, turning the cultural celebration into a campaign-style spectacle—further fuelling allegations that the governor is politicizing revered traditional institutions and ceremonies.

As tensions linger, political watchers and cultural custodians alike are expressing concern over the implications of the strained relationship between the governor and one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional rulers.

Whether a reconciliation will occur before the end of Abiodun’s tenure remains uncertain—but for now, the silence between the two speaks volumes.