The appeal came on Friday during a peaceful protest staged by the youth group of the community, who expressed frustration over what they described as years of stagnation caused by the absence of a substantive monarch. The protesters, bearing placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “We Are Tired of Court Cases,” “Give Us a Substantive King in Igbogila,” and “Gov. Abiodun Should Rescue Us,” demanded urgent government intervention to restore leadership and unity in the town.
Speaking during the protest, the leader of the youth group, Chief Mrs. Olushola Adebayo, accused some suspended chiefs of orchestrating the prolonged delay in the installation of a new Oba since the passing of the late Oba Ebenezer Olanloye. According to her, their continued interference has plunged the town into crisis and underdevelopment.
“The suspended chiefs have been the ones going against the progress of Igbogila because of their gross misconduct,” she alleged. “They have taken the matter to court, but it keeps getting adjourned. We are not happy because the lack of leadership is hindering our community’s growth. Those suspended chiefs have been making our town suffer through the crisis.”
“What we want is for Governor Dapo Abiodun to listen to the plight of the youth. We want a monarch in Igbogila so our town can develop and grow significantly. The lack of a monarch is holding us back,” she added.
Joining the call for intervention, the Ogun State House of Assembly member representing Yewa North Constituency 1, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju, appealed to Governor Abiodun not to ignore the community’s plea. The lawmaker noted that the situation has reached a boiling point, warning that if not swiftly addressed, it could degenerate into a full-blown crisis.
“Although the matter is in court, it is getting out of hand. Those chiefs suspended by the late Oba should stay away,” he said. “The paramount ruler of Yewaland, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs—all are aware of the suspension. For over three years now, we’ve been without a monarch, and it’s affecting our progress. Government alone can’t do it all.”
“The way things are going now, we are sitting on a gunpowder in Igbogila,” Adeyanju warned. “I want the Governor to come to our rescue. Even after the court verdict, we don’t want any party to go back to court again. We want peace in Igbogila.”
Residents who spoke with reporters lamented that the leadership vacuum has slowed community projects, discouraged investors, and created disunity among indigenes.
They called for the establishment of a special committee by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the crisis and pave the way for the installation of a new traditional ruler.
