The traditional rivalry between the Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Olusola Lamidi-Osolo, and the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, has resurfaced, with both monarchs locked in a heated contest over the leadership of the Awori kingdom in Ogun State.
The dispute escalated after Olota, in a recent interview, declared himself the Chairman of the Awori Obas Forum in Ogun State, asserting that all other Awori monarchs within the forum were answerable to him. He further argued that Ota historically held the only royal stool in the area until the creation of the Ifo stool in 1972.
“You don’t just create a traditional stool for political reasons. It was only the Olota that we had in all these areas until 1972 when the Ifo stool was created. The proliferation of stools has led to shameful acts among traditional rulers. We have too many traditional rulers, and when you have too many of anything, it becomes uncontrollable,” Olota reportedly stated.
However, the Olofin of Ado-Odo has strongly countered these claims, describing them as misleading and historically inaccurate. In a statement released to the press, Oba Lamidi-Osolo dismissed Olota’s assertion of superiority, pointing out that his domain remains under the authority of the Alake of Egbaland, making any claim to Awori leadership questionable.
He provided historical context, stating that Ado-Odo has always been an Awori territory but was placed under the Yewa Traditional Council for administrative convenience. The Olofin currently serves as a permanent member of this council and holds a high-ranking position next to the Paramount Ruler.
Tracing the roots of traditional authority, Olofin recalled that during the regional system of government in Nigeria’s Western Region, he served as Vice Chairman of the Western House of Chiefs, with the Ooni of Ife as Chairman. Additionally, both the Olofin of Ado-Odo and the Alake of Egbaland were recognized representatives of the Abeokuta Province.
“It is amusing that a monarch whose installation requires the approval of the Alake of Egbaland is now claiming leadership over a forum that includes the Olofin of Ado-Odo, who historically co-led the Abeokuta Province alongside the Alake,” he stated.
Olofin emphasized that the Awori Obas Forum in Ogun State is merely a platform for traditional rulers to engage with the government, lacking any formal divisional status that would grant it legitimate authority over Aworiland.
Further refuting claims of Egba dominance over Ado-Odo, the monarch referenced historical accounts, including Reverend Henry Townsend’s intervention during an attempted siege of Ado-Odo by Egba forces. He cited S.B. Biobaku’s The Egba and Their Neighbours (1957), which documented how Ado-Odo withstood the siege, refusing to be starved into submission. Additionally, he referenced J.F. Ade Ajayi and Samuel Crowther’s historical works, which highlighted Ado-Odo as a major obstacle to Egba expansion.
To strengthen his argument, Olofin referenced a minute from a meeting held at the Olota’s Palace on April 10, 1935, where the then Oloregan of Ota, Chief T.T. Dada, admitted that Ota was conquered by Egba forces in 1841, along with surrounding villages. “The same forces that subjugated Ota attempted to overrun Ado-Odo but were vehemently repelled,” he added.
He further pointed out that historical records indicate that the Olota of Ota only gained direct access to the Alake of Egbaland in the mid-18th century, and it was not until 1900 that the Alake began to rule over Ota directly.
Highlighting Ado-Odo’s royal status, the Olofin noted that his title was among those recognized for wearing a beaded crown by the Ooni of Ife in ancient times. He cited a document from the Secretary’s Office, Southern Provinces of Nigeria, dated January 27, 1917, which listed the Oba of Ado as one of the recognized crowned Yoruba Obas in the Western Province.
“With archival evidence to back this up, any self-proclaimed leadership over the Awori Kingdom by a monarch historically under Egba dominance is unfounded,” he declared.
As the debate rages on, the supremacy tussle between the two prominent Awori monarchs continues to generate widespread attention, with many traditional and historical stakeholders weighing in on the matter.
