Silence of Kosofe Monarchs Raises Questions Over Traditional Unity After Oko Baba Agba Installation
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The absence of several prominent traditional rulers from the recent installation of the Olu Oko Baba Agba, Oba Kabir Adesegun Bashir Gbadewolu I, and their apparent lack of public engagement with the new monarch have raised questions about unity within Kosofe’s traditional leadership.
The development has drawn renewed attention following a recent courtesy visit by the Oniba Ekun of Iba Land, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji Ashade (Jafo Authority), to the newly installed monarch at his palace.
During the Oko Baba Agba installation ceremony at the Kosofe Local Government Headquarters, only one of the area’s prominent first-class monarchs, Oba Samuel Alamu Kehinde Onikosi, the Onikosi of Ikosi and Chairman of the Ikosi-Kosofe Council of Obas and Chiefs, was publicly present.
Notably absent were the Olu of Agboyi Kingdom, Oba Monsuru Abimbola Oladega, and the Oloworo of Oworonshoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu (Elebo II).
Neither monarch has, as of the time of reporting, publicly congratulated the new Oko Baba Agba monarch or paid a publicly reported courtesy visit to his palace.
Other traditional rulers whose public engagements with the new monarch have not been reported include Oba Isiaka Adio Oyero Balogun, the Alaketu of Ketu; Oba Jamiu Aileru, the Onishaginsha of Shangisha; and the Olu of Oruba.
Representatives of other traditional institutions in the area, including the late Oba Olofin of Maidan-Mile 12 Kingdom, the Ologudu of Ogudu, the Ojota of Ojota, White Cap Chiefs and local Baales across the Kosofe Federal Constituency, have also not been publicly associated with a congratulatory visit to the new monarch.
The silence has become particularly noticeable because traditional institutions traditionally play an important role in acknowledging the emergence of new monarchs and maintaining relationships among neighbouring kingdoms.
Political Silence, Executive Engagement
The apparent reluctance among several political stakeholders to publicly comment on the development has also added another layer to the situation.
While political actors in the area are often quick to publicly acknowledge major community developments, there has been limited public commentary from prominent stakeholders regarding the new traditional arrangement.
There has, however, been executive engagement.
The Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe, recently paid a courtesy visit to Oba Kabir Adesegun Bashir Gbadewolu I, following the monarch’s installation and presentation of his Staff of Office.
READ MORE: Kosofe LG Chairman Ogunlewe Visits Oko Baba Agba King
The visit provided a notable indication of official engagement with the new traditional institution, although details of the discussions were not publicly disclosed.
Support From Outside Kosofe
Interestingly, some of the most visible expressions of solidarity have come from traditional rulers outside the immediate Kosofe traditional hierarchy.
The Oniba Ekun of Iba Land, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji Ashade, accompanied by the Alakesan of Akesan, recently visited the Oko Baba Agba Palace to congratulate the new monarch.
The visits have created a striking contrast: while some monarchs from outside the constituency have publicly demonstrated solidarity with Oba Kabir, several prominent traditional rulers within Kosofe have yet to make their positions publicly known.
Whether the silence reflects disagreement, protocol, ongoing consultations or simply the absence of a formal decision by the various traditional institutions remains unclear.
For now, the pattern of attendance, public statements and courtesy visits surrounding the Oko Baba Agba stool has opened a fresh conversation about the relationship among Kosofe’s traditional institutions—and whether the emergence of the new kingdom could reshape the existing balance of traditional authority in the area.