Kobape Throne: Residents Reject Alleged Imposition, Back Majekodunmi

By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo





Tension has continued to mount in Kobape, a prominent community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, following allegations that efforts are underway to impose a candidate from the Taylor family, Chief Tolu Lambert Oyesiku Taylor as the next Olu of Kobape despite growing opposition from residents and traditional stakeholders.

The controversy stems from reports that a member of the Taylor family is being considered for the vacant stool of the Olu of Kobape, a development many residents argue violates the community’s tradition and the wishes of the people.

Hundreds of indigenes and residents of Kobape on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest to the palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, to express their support for Aremu Olusegun Majekodunmi as the preferred candidate to occupy the revered throne.

The protesters maintained that the late Olu of Kobape, Oba Olufemi Allen Taylor, emerged from the Taylor family and that selecting another candidate from the same lineage would be unacceptable to the people. They insisted that the community should be allowed to choose a monarch who enjoys broad-based support and possesses deep roots in the history and development of Kobape not a foreigner who has no family house and can’t mention the name of a family in the town cannot ascend the throne of Olu of Kobape.














Kobape falls under the jurisdiction of the Oba Traditional Council, where former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba serves as the Oluwo of Oba and is regarded as one of the influential kingmakers within communities under Obafemi-Owode Local Government.

Speaking during the protest, legal counsel to the Kobape community, Kehinde Amusa, said he joined community elders and stakeholders in the peaceful demonstration to seek royal approval for Majekodunmi’s emergence as the next Olu of Kobape.

According to him, the community remains united in its position that the choice of the people should prevail in the selection process.

The stool of the Olu of Kobape has remained vacant since the passing of Oba Olufemi Allen Taylor in December 2021.

Adding his voice, the Adele of Kobape, Alhaji Olafimiwan, rejected what he described as attempts to impose an outsider on the community.

“I do not know whoever the Oba Traditional Council wants to impose on us, but such a person is not a son of Kobape. A foreigner cannot ascend the throne of Olu of Kobape,” he declared.

He also warned against what he termed “moneybag politics” in the selection process, stressing that only a credible and widely accepted candidate could guarantee peace, unity and sustainable development in the community.

Olafimiwan further noted that Kobape comprises five Baales, all of whom were under the authority of the late Olu, and urged the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to intervene to ensure that the wishes of the people are respected.

Similarly, the Iyalode of Kobape, Chief Mrs. Dorcas Kushimo, disclosed that community leaders had unanimously endorsed Aremu Olusegun Majekodunmi as the preferred candidate for the throne.

She appealed to the Alake of Egbaland to support what she described as the collective decision of the people.

Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Kobape, Imam Dairo Ibrahim, praised Majekodunmi’s contributions to the growth and development of the community, describing him as the most qualified candidate for the royal stool.

According to him, Majekodunmi’s emergence would usher in a new era of prosperity and progress for the kingdom.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kobape Zone, Pastor Gbenga Abiola, described Majekodunmi as a peacemaker and a visionary leader whose record of service and community development made him worthy of the throne.

He urged traditional authorities to listen to the voice of the people and endorse the candidate they have overwhelmingly chosen.

Responding to the protesters, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, commended the people of Kobape for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the demonstration.

The monarch acknowledged their concerns and encouraged them to formally present the same position before the Oba Traditional Council for consideration and approval.

He advised the delegation to continue pursuing lawful and peaceful channels in advocating for their preferred candidate, Aremu Olusegun Majekodunmi, while assuring them that their message had been received.

The unfolding succession dispute has drawn significant attention across Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, with observers closely watching the next steps of the traditional council and relevant government authorities in resolving the impasse and determining who ultimately ascends the throne of the Olu of Kobape.