His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, the Onirolu of Irolu-Remo, has denied allegations that he obstructed an All Progressives Congress (APC) and CAUCUS 7202 meeting in Irolu over the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The traditional ruler's response follows a publication by Ayomide Ogunmoye, popularly known as Toto, in which allegations were reportedly made against the monarch in connection with the proposed political gathering. Oba Adeyiga described the publication as disrespectful to the traditional institution, the people of Irolu and the wider Remo community.
In a statement issued to address the controversy, the monarch maintained that his position was motivated by concerns about peace, security and the preservation of public order in his domain, rather than opposition to any political party or aspirant.
He reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful coexistence and community development, stressing that he remained accessible to individuals and groups pursuing initiatives capable of delivering tangible benefits to the people.
Providing context for his position, Oba Adeyiga referred to an incident he said occurred on October 8, 2026, involving the Irolu Police Division and a suspect accused of rape who reportedly died by suicide while in police custody.
According to the monarch's account, the incident was followed by alleged indiscriminate shooting in the community by a group he described as cultists, purportedly under the pretext of paying their last respects to the deceased.
He further alleged that members of the same group subsequently attacked the police station, damaged the facility and assaulted the officer on duty.
The monarch stated that the injured officer was taken to a hospital in Iperu for treatment, adding that he personally covered the medical expenses. He also claimed responsibility for financing repairs to the damaged police station.
Oba Adeyiga said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police was informed of the development and that police personnel stationed in Irolu were subsequently withdrawn over security concerns, leaving the station non-functional at the time of his statement.
The allegations concerning the incident and the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal of police personnel have not been independently verified for this report.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the political gathering, the Onirolu said he had no objection to legitimate political engagements by the APC or any other political party in Irolu.
However, he maintained that activities capable of threatening public safety or undermining the community's peace would not be tolerated.
The monarch explained that his concerns arose after what he described as an attempt to organise another gathering in the community without prior notification or his knowledge.
He said he subsequently convened his chiefs and warned against activities that could expose Irolu to violence, insecurity or reputational damage.
According to him, his position should not be misconstrued as an attempt to frustrate the political aspirations of any individual.
The monarch stressed that his responsibility as a traditional ruler was to safeguard the welfare of his subjects, preserve the dignity of the traditional institution and maintain peace within his jurisdiction.
The traditional ruler also objected to the alleged attempt to associate the dispute with the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
He described the senator as a leader whom he regarded as responsible and peace loving, insisting that the local disagreement should not be used to portray the senator negatively or suggest that the Onirolu's position was politically motivated.
Oba Adeyiga further rejected any suggestion that his traditional stool should be drawn into partisan controversy, maintaining that the institution should be treated with respect and allowed to discharge its customary responsibilities without unnecessary political entanglement.
His statement did not establish whether Senator Adeola or his representatives had any direct involvement in the disputed meeting.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the relationship between traditional institutions, political mobilisation and community security in Irolu-Remo.
While political gatherings remain an important feature of democratic participation, concerns about public safety and the preservation of communal harmony require careful consideration by organisers, community leaders and relevant security agencies.
Oba Adeyiga's position, as presented in his statement, is that political activities should be conducted peacefully and responsibly, without exposing residents to intimidation or violence.
The allegations exchanged over the disputed gathering also underscore the importance of allowing all parties to present their accounts and ensuring that claims of misconduct are supported by verifiable evidence.
As of the publication of this report, Ayomide Ogunmoye's response to the monarch's account was not available for inclusion. The allegations surrounding the meeting and the earlier security incident therefore remain matters requiring further independent verification.
The Onirolu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to peace, security and development in Irolu-Remo, maintaining that his doors remained open to legitimate initiatives that would advance the interests of the community.
Signed:
His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga
The Onirolu of Irolu-Remo
Posts
