Two traditional rulers in Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu, and the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, are at loggerheads over Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun’ second term bid.
Oba Olugbenle had in August endorsed Abiodun as the right candidate to occupy the Ogun State governorship seat for the second time. He praised the governor to high heavens and applauded his performance during his first term as the governor of Ogun State.
He also stated that it wasn’t Yewa’s turn to produce a governor in Ogun state and advised any interested candidate from Yewa land to wait till 2027 before signifying interest. He paid a courtesy visit to the governor where he made it known that he and his subjects are solidly behind him. Some smaller monarchs in Ogun also joined Oba Olugbenle in endorsing the governor.
However, the traditional ruler changed suddenly and started supporting Barrister Biyi Otegbeye’s political aspiration as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC. Otegbeye is from Yewaland in Ogun State, the same area Olugbenle said wasn’t its turn to produce governor.
After showing support for Otegbeye, another traditional ruler, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu accused Oba Olugbenle of confusing other royal fathers about the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State. He expressed disappointment in the monarch whom he accused of putting the integrity of Yewa Council of Oba’s at stake which does not portray them as stable and trustworthy. He distanced himself and other 53 members of the traditional council from Oba Olugbenle’s decision and expressed foul play in his decision.