Protest trails monarch’s planned coronation in Ogun

Tension has gripped Ewuga Lajo and Sokanmade communities in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun over the planned coronation of a monarch for Ewuga.

Angry residents on Wednesday stormed the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland to protest what they described as an attempt to impose a monarch on the community.

The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Respect the law,” “Ewuga is not for sale,” “Don’t impose a monarch on Ewuga,” and “Sunday Osho is not from Ewuga.”

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The development has reportedly deepened disagreements between the Ofin and Makun settlers, creating anxiety among residents of the affected communities.

According to the protesters, proceeding with the installation would amount to a violation of an ongoing court process at the Sagamu Division of the Ogun State High Court in Suit No. HSC/531/2025.

They claimed they were compelled to protest after repeated letters to the Ogun State Government, the Akarigbo of Remoland, and the local government authorities over the proposed coronation allegedly yielded no response.

Speaking during the protest, the leader of the group, Chief Mojeed Sonuga, said the action became necessary following information that the Akarigbo-in-Council intended to install what he described as a “foreigner” as monarch over Ewuga.

“The protest has become very necessary because we got information that the Akarigbo-in-Council wants to install a foreigner as monarch on our land. This is despite the fact that the matter is already in court and the parties have been served with the necessary court papers,” he said.

He added that the community was not opposed to the installation of a monarch but rejected the alleged selection of someone they claimed was not an indigene of Ewuga.

“We are not against anybody being installed as a monarch, but we don’t want a foreigner to be installed as the oba of Ewuga,” Sonuga stated, expressing disappointment that the installation was allegedly being pursued despite pending litigation.

Another protester, Wasiu Sonuga, also called for the immediate suspension of the planned coronation, describing it as an abuse of due process.

He appealed to the Ogun State Government to intervene and prevent a breakdown of law and order, noting that the coronation was reportedly scheduled for Thursday.

“We heard that they want to install an oba tomorrow (Thursday), and it is against the proceedings at the court. Ewuga community was confirmed by the court to belong to our forefathers in a judgment delivered in 1985,” he said.

He further argued that the Akarigbo had previously installed one of their family members, Owolabi Oshinowo, as the Olori Ilu of Ewuga, questioning why another individual, allegedly not from Ewuga, was now being considered for the throne.

“We are from Ofin and they are from Makun. It is like they want to cede our land to them,” he added, alleging that some politicians were backing the planned installation.

He warned that going ahead with the coronation could trigger unrest in the community.