The Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, has conferred traditional chieftaincy titles on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, his wife, Adenike, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and several other party chieftains. The installation ceremony took place on Thursday at the monarch’s palace in Sapon, Abeokuta, drawing traditional rulers, political figures, community leaders and members of the Ogun State PDP leadership.
Adebutu and Wife Receive Top Honours
At the ceremony, Adebutu was installed as the Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba, while his wife, Yeye Adenike Omolola Adebutu, was conferred with the title of Yeye Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba. The honours place the couple within the traditional hierarchy of the Oke-Ona Egba kingdom and reflect the monarch’s confidence in their standing within the community.
Other PDP Leaders Honoured
Several other PDP leaders were also recognised during the installation. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo was installed as the Okanlomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba, while the state party chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, received the title of Fiwagbola of Oke-Ona Egba. Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo was honoured as the Olu Nla Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba.
In addition, Arch. Dele Olaleye was installed as the Sesogbayi of Oke-Ona Egba, Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello as the Oluomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba, and Chief Abiodun Ogunremi as the Otun Olu-Nla of Oke-Ona Egba. The monarch presented certificates to the new titleholders and performed other traditional rites associated with their installation.
Monarch Explains Basis for the Titles
Speaking at the event, Oba Tejuoso said the titles were reserved for individuals whose character, credibility and contributions had earned the confidence of the traditional institution. He described Adebutu as a trustworthy person whose character and antecedents had been observed over time.
“Ladi Adebutu is a tested man. He is somebody whose character and antecedents we have observed over time. We consider him a trustworthy person, someone we believe can be relied upon. That is why we have found him deserving of this honour,” the monarch said. He urged Adebutu and his wife to use their recognition to contribute to the development of Oke-Ona Egba and Ogun State.
Adebutu Pledges Greater Service
In his response, Adebutu thanked the monarch and the Oke-Ona Egba traditional institution, describing the honour as a responsibility and a call to greater service. “I do not see this honour as just a traditional recognition or something to celebrate and forget. I see it as a responsibility and a call to greater service. It is a reminder that the people expect more from those who have been entrusted with positions of honour,” he said.
He pledged to contribute to the development of Egbaland and Ogun State, adding that residents deserved better opportunities and an environment in which they could prosper.
Political Context
Adebutu, who also contested the Ogun governorship election in 2023, emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 poll after the party’s governorship primary in May. However, his candidacy has faced uncertainty following his omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list of governorship candidates for the February 2027 election. INEC rejected his petition over the omission, while Adebutu has maintained that he remains the party’s duly nominated candidate.
The installation is not the first traditional honour for the couple. In September, Adebutu and his wife were installed as Gbademu and Yeye Gbademu of Owu Kingdom by the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, at a ceremony in Abeokuta.
