New traditional ruler of Gbagura to emerge within next one month, says kingmaker

A kingmaker in Gbagura community of Egbaland Chief Ayodele Koleade has disclosed that the new traditional ruler of the town would emerge within the next one month, assuring that all arrangements and processes will be completed in May, 2025 in order to begin the crowning of a new monarch.

Penpushing reports that Koleade, who is the Balogun Iddo, made this known at a meeting organized by the Gbagura Youth Development Council (GYDC) led by its chairman Alhaji Mubasir Nafiu, and hosted by Adedapo Semiu, Chairman, Iddo Youth Council at Oba Agura Square, Oke-Iddo, Abeokuta

The High Chief explained that the stool after demise of Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Jamolu II, the 9th Agura of Gbaguraland, in June 2023, the stool had been vacant  stating that the new traditional ruler will come from by Jiboso Ruling House.

Penpushing further reports that Koleade, a retired Permanent Secretary from Ogun State Civil Service, however, identified some challenges that are causing delay in the selection and election of the new Agura of Gbagura.

“We are lucky to have had Oluwasina Ogungbade SAN, the Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who is Gbagura man from Ikereku- Idan; we have Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, an Owu man as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and several of our sons and daughters in Abeokuta North Local Government. What are we waiting for?’, he said

“Although, we have some challenges that caused little delay, that can’t stop us, we are going to have new Agura in the next one month. I can only appeal to all of us (Gbaguras) to be patient and, bow down in prayer to the God Almighty to help us in the process of making the new Agura. If that is done, God will answer our prayers and we will have new monarch in place as soon as possible”, he added

Penpushing also reports that earlier, in his own remarks Baada of Iddo, Chief Shuaibu Alasopupo, pointed out that the delay associated with the selection and election of new Agura of Gbagura was caused by a ploy to disown late Agura of Gbagura, Oba Babajide Saburee Bakre, as not of royalty.

The Baada, however, assured the sons and daughters of Gbagura that the Iddo Chiefs, who are the consenting authority and kingmakers, would elect the new royal father after the family selection process from the Jiboso ruling house.

Penpushing reports that in similar vein, one of the Princes from Jiboso Ruling House, Prince Razaq Ayinla from Lupoju-Lugboso royal family from Iddo-Oba II, Idi-Osun, expressed optimism on the development

The journalist who hails from the Gbagura settlement at Itoko in Abeokuta South Local Government assured his kinsmen that the selection of new Agura of Gbagura by Jiboso ruling house would start soon in order to work towards a month period given by kingmakers.

Penpushing further reports that Ayinla recalled that several past Agura of Gbagura from Oba Raufu Adeosun, Oba Halidu Olaloko, Sobekun II to Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Jamolu II, were always crowned during the Muslim Ileya festival (Eid Al Adha) , stressing that the incoming monarch would not be different.

“I was told that our forebears, the late Aguras, from Oba Raufu Adeosun, Oba Halidu Olaloko to immediate past Oba Saburee Bakre, they either entered Ipebi (Royal Seclusion) or was crowned before, during or immediately after the Ileya festival’, he stated.

“Today, Sunday 27th April, 2025, we are less than two months to Ileya festival and our Iddo Council of Chiefs being led by Chief Ayodele Koleade, the Balogun of Iddo, who are the real kingmakers, have given us their words that we are going to have new Agura of Gbagura in a month’s time. So, let’s all work towards the time and pray that so shall it be”, Ayinla emphasised.

Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Jamolu II, the 9th Agura of Gbaguraland, who was picked from the second Ruling House, Egiri Ruling House of Agura, died in June, 2023 and since then the Agura of Gbagura’s stool has been vacant.

The Gbagura community is one of the four main regions of Egbaland that cuts across six local government areas, forming Ogun Central Senatorial District- Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode, Ewekoro and Odeda.

Penpushing reports that Alake of Egbaland, heads the Ake section; Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, manning the Oke-Ona section; Agura of Gbagura reigning over the Gbagura section and Olowu of Owu, heading the Owu section.

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