Ibido Community Rallies In Support Of Traditional Monarch, HRH Oba Kolawole Adeyemi, Amidst Controversy
By Oludare Joshua
In a powerful display of solidarity, the Ibido Community, area of Sagamu, Ogun State, under the kingship of His Royal Highness Oba Kolawole Adeyemi, the Negbuwa of Ibido, took to the streets on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, to support their monarch amidst rampant speculation and controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the closure of the residence of Chief Kayode Soremekun, the Losi of Ibido Land.
The march, which drew a large turnout of community members, was led by High Chief Samuel Osho, the Lisa of Ibido Land. He firmly condemned the circulating rumors as disrespectful to the royal institution and clarified that the chief’s house was closed by the traditional council, not by Oba Adeyemi. This rumored order, Chief Osho asserted, was nothing more than slander against the royal throne—a clear affront to the dignity of the king and the community.
Addressing the public, Chief Osho recounted an incident where Oye Soremekun, the son of Chief Kayode Soremekun, led a group comprising family members and unknown cultists to attack the Oba in his palace. They accused the monarch of unlawfully seizing family land, a claim Osho labeled a “bitter lie” and “fallacy.” He emphasized that since taking the throne, Oba Adeyemi has never engaged in any action that could be construed as land grabbing or inheritance theft. “What transpired in our palace was not just an act of disrespect towards our king but was emblematic of a larger threat to our shared values,” he expressed vehemently.
Chief Osho emphasized the integrity of the kabiesi, stating that since ascending to the throne, the monarch has never exploited his position to seize lands or wealth from residents, even prior to his reign. “The integrity of our monarch is above reproach. The assertions being spread are nothing but wicked fabrications designed to tarnish our royalty.”
Adding to the sentiments expressed during the walk, the Otun Bamofin of Ibido Land, Otunba Olalekan Abiodun, clarified that the order for closure of the Losi’s house came from the traditional council and not the kabiesi. He condemned the actions of the Losi’s family, urging the community to refrain from spreading unverified information about the incident. “What happened is an affront not only to the kabiesi but to our entire community, and we cannot allow such behavior to go unpunished.”
Elder statesman and member of the Ibido Council of Elders, Pa. Adetunji Idowu Davies, echoed these sentiments, lamenting the unprecedented violence against a royal figure. “This is a historical low for our culture,” he stated, urging the community to remember the importance of respecting traditional leadership as part of Yoruba heritage.
Through their speeches, pivotal figures, including the Yeye Ase of Ibido Land, Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Oyekanbi, condemned the false narratives and called for unity in support of the kabiesi during this trying time. She remarked, “This malicious storytelling aims to undermine the commendable efforts of our kabiesi in uplifting the Ibido community. We must stand together to ensure justice prevails against those who seek to disrupt our peace.”
Also speaking at the solidarity walk, High Chief Sesan Segun Odufonafun, the Apena of Ibido Land, provided a firsthand eyewitness account of the unsettling events that transpired at the palace. On that day, a group led by Losi’s son, Oye, along with his mother, siblings, and individuals suspected of being cultists, arrived at the palace expressing their respectful desire to see the Kabiesi. They were graciously welcomed by the royal monarch, who intended to inquire about their visit.
However, shortly after the initial greeting, the Kabiesi stepped away and was alerted by loud noises coming from the gathering. Rushing back to the scene, Chief Odufonafun was horrified to witness Losi’s son, Oye, physically assaulting the Kabiesi. The chaos escalated as others joined the attack, while some of Oye’s supporters outside shouted accusations against the Kabiesi, labeling him a thief, a land grabber, and an inheritance snatcher, calling for his harm.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Chief Odufonafun promptly contacted the palace security and fellow chiefs to ensure the safety of the Kabiesi, as he was the sole protector present at that time. He urges the public to dismiss any false rumors regarding the royal monarch on the closure of Losi’s house and to seek the truth from palace officials or chiefs about the ongoing speculation. He emphasized the necessity of rallying support for the Kabiesi to put an end to such inappropriate behavior.
Furthermore, Chief Odufonafun clarified that it was Losi and his son, Oye, who were attempting to sell land that had been designated for the Ibido Community’s use. Reports had reached the palace questioning why Losi would attempt to sell property belonging to the entire community without regard for their interests. The Kabiesi intervened, advising Losi to halt the sale until the matter could be resolved. Unfortunately, this was misinterpreted by Losi’s family as an attempt to confiscate their inheritance, which prompted the violent confrontation at the palace.
In light of these events, Chief Odufonafun calls for calm and encourages the community to engage with their leaders for accurate information rather than spreading misinformation.
The gathering also saw the participation of the youth, ably led by Olori Odo of Ibido Land, Omooba Oluwasegun, who denounced the actions of Oye Soremekun and declared the youth’s allegiance to their traditional structures. “As the youth of Ibido, we stand firm against violence and disrespect towards our culture and our leaders.”
Despite the vibrant show of support from the community, attempts to reach Oba Kolawole Adeyemi for firsthand comments were unsuccessful, as he is currently undergoing treatment following the attack. Similarly, outreach to contact Chief Kayode Soremekun for his perspective on the events remained unsuccessful, as reports indicate that his son, Oye, has fled the community in the aftermath of the incident.
The solidarity walk concluded as community leaders and members reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the traditions and respect for their royal figures, urging all residents to rise above rumors and misinformation, and to remain steadfast in the preservation of their cultural heritage.
