The controversy over the status of the Monarch of Jebba, His Royal Highness, Oba Abdukadir Alabi Adebara reared its head recently when the Yoruba group, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG wrote a letter to the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulraham Abdulrazaq to revisit the issue of the grading of the Oba of Jebba.
Five years ago, at the presentation of the staffs of office to the Olupako of Share in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, Governor Abdulrazaq urged traditional institution to join the government in the campaigns to mobilise the people for peace, unity and development of not only Kwara, but of the whole country.
While the newly graded Obas are savouring their new status and elevation, the grading of Obas stool is gradually becoming an open sour of the State, particularly in some communities who feel they have not been fairly treated in the exercise.
In its letter of 8th of May, 2025 and addressed to the Governor of Kwara State, the ARG, and rooted through the Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Local Government and also the Chairman of Moro Local Government, the group acknowledged the “giant strides” of the governor in the last six years, and especially in areas of education, security and infrastructure.
The group in the letter however added it was constrained to informed the governor of the gap, especially the absence of equity as related to the payment of the emolument of the Oba since coronation about 22 years ago.
Before this letter from the ARG, a memo sent by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice had asked the Attorney General to clarify the status of the Oba of Jebba.
As the 102-year-old Monarch marks his 22 years old coronation anniversary on the throne, the ARG, in the letter signed by Chief Biodun Oyeyipo (Chairman) and Abdulateef Bamidele (Secretary) “implores the governor to settle all the arrears of the Oba’s emolument and also give effects to the two court judgements in favour of the Monarch.
‘Successful litigants should not be denied the benefits of their victory so that the citizens will not lose faith in the rule of Law. Justice delayed, it added, is justice denied”.
The case against the Oba has a long history, a d has its roots in the disagreement by some powerful people against his Obaship.
The case became a legal tussle and was in court for eight years, moving from Magistrate Court through High Court to Appeal Court.
In an earlier interview with the press, the Oba said the case “was before Honourable Justice Hannah Ajayi High Court that the case was decided in my favour, before the government decided to appeal against it after eight months, saying the DPP in charge of the case was available on the day of the judgement.”
According to legends, Jebba town is a Yoruba city in Kwara State, Nigeria.
It has views of River Niger, and as of 2007 has an estimated population of 22,411.
Northernmost territory of the Yoruba culture is terminated by a landscape feature at Niger River near Jebba
The Jebba was founded by two brothers from Ajase-Ipo kwara state Abebola Adebara and Odaso Adebara..
