The Balogun of Iddo, Chief Ayodele Koleade, has assured that the vacant Agura of Gbagura stool will be filled within the next one month, putting an end to nearly two years of vacancy following the demise of the late monarch.
Chief Koleade gave the assurance on Sunday during a meeting of the Gbagura Youth Development Council (GYDC) held at Oba Agura Square, Oke-Iddo, Abeokuta.
He disclosed that all arrangements and processes towards the emergence of a new king from the Jiboso Ruling House would be completed before the end of May 2025, paving the way for the crowning of a new Agura of Gbagura.
The stool became vacant in June 2023 following the death of Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Jamolu II, who hailed from the Egiri Ruling House.
Gbagura, one of the four traditional sections of Egbaland, spans six local government areas that form the Ogun Central Senatorial District — Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode, Ewekoro, and Odeda. The Agura of Gbagura reigns alongside the Alake of Egbaland, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, and Olowu of Owu.
Chief Koleade, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Civil Service, stressed the readiness of the Kingmakers to conclude the selection process despite some challenges.
He said, “We are lucky to have sons of Gbagura like Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside several others in Abeokuta North Local Government.
“Although there have been some challenges causing slight delays, they cannot stop us. We will have a new Agura in the next one month. I appeal to all Gbagura sons and daughters to remain patient and prayerful so that God will guide us in this important process.”
Chief Koleade was accompanied by Chief Shuaibu Alasopupo, Baada of Iddo, and Chief Mukaila Akindele, Ekerin of Iddo.
Also speaking, Chief Alasopupo blamed the delay on alleged attempts to question the royal lineage of the late Oba Babajide Bakre, but assured that the Iddo Chiefs — who serve as the Consenting Authority and Kingmakers — would complete the process once the Jiboso Ruling House concludes its selection.
In a related development, Prince Razaq Adesanya Ayinla of the Lupoju-Lugboso Royal Family, representing the Jiboso Ruling House, promised that the family would expedite action on selecting a candidate to meet the timeline set by the Kingmakers.
Prince Ayinla recalled the tradition where previous Aguras were crowned around the Ileya (Eid al-Adha) festival, expressing optimism that history would repeat itself.
“I was told that our forebears — Oba Raufu Adeosun, Oba Halidu Olaloko, and Oba Saburee Bakre — were either crowned or entered royal seclusion around the Ileya festival. With the commitment from our Kingmakers, we are confident the new Agura will emerge in time for this year’s celebration,” he said.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the Gbagura community now looks forward to the conclusion of the process, with high expectations for the installation of a new monarch to continue the rich heritage of the land.
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