This seems to be an embattled times for the Chief R.A. Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, who by tradition is one of the chiefs of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Few days after the Otun Balogun of Ijebuland, Chief Alade Shote, issued a public statement warning Olisa to stop parading himself as an Oba in Ijebuland, other letters have emerged showing that the Iyaloja of Oba Adetona market in Ijebu Ode, Alhaja Temitope Kuforiji, had in the past rejected an offer by Olisa to confer her with the title of ‘Erelu’ citing “personal and many other reasons”.
In a letter dated, November 28, 2018 and jointly signed by “Ogu’ja of Ijebu Ode”, Chief Adesanya, Aremo Ogu’ja of Ijebu Ode, Olayiwola Ogunleye and Otunba Ladipo Olusanya Adeogun, as Secreatry; Chief (Mrs.) Temitope Wuraola Kuforiji was informed of her selection as a member of the Royal Court as Erelu. The letter then prayed for her for “Almighty God to grant you long life, robust health and sound mind and wisdom”.
However, in her very diplomatic letter of reply to the offer of the ‘Erelu’ title, Alhaja Kuforiji declined the offer citing “family front, personal, religious and many other reasons”.
The letter reads in part: “Sequel to reasons ranging from family front, religious tenets and very many other reasons, will not permit me to function as expected in the proposed capacity”.
She therefore wished the kingdom “success in the selection of the choicest personality to fill the vacancy”.
Chief Alade Shote had earlier in the week, warned the Olisa in a statement he personally signed to stop parading himself as an Oba.
The statement reads partly: “The entire people of Ijebu Land at home and abroad, Chiefs, Otunbas and members of Awujale Ruling Houses of Ijebu-Land have all continued to watch in utter disbelief, embarrassment and agony on the behaviour, conduct, utterances of Chief R. A Adesanya, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode since his assumption of office in 1983.”
“Ever since, Chief R.A Adesanya as Olisa of Ijebu-Ode has tried to re-christen and re-designate his title as Royal Family title. He has also made himself beaded crown and beaded Oriogbofo, wearing them as an Oba contrary to Ijebu custom and tradition, thus rewriting Ijebu history.
“Unfortunately, Olisa R.A Adesanya forgot that many Obas in Ijebu Land have their own Olisa. For example, there is Olisa at Idowa, Ijebu-Igbo, Okun Owa, Erunwon etc.
“He, however, failed to realize that the special status he enjoyed as Olisa of Ijebu-Ode was due and through the benevolence of Alaiyeluwa, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land.”
