Tension has escalated in parts of Sagamu, Ogun State, following protests against the planned installation of a monarch for Ewuga community, with residents alleging an attempt to impose a “foreigner” on the town despite an ongoing court case.
Angry residents from Ewuga Lajo and Sokanmade on Wednesday stormed the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland to protest what they described as the unlawful imposition of a monarch on Ewuga community. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Respect the law, Ewuga is not for sale” and “Don’t impose a monarch on Ewuga,” the protesters demanded an immediate halt to the planned coronation.
The demonstration has deepened an existing dispute between the Ofin settlers and the Makun community, heightening anxiety among residents and raising fears of a potential breakdown of law and order.
According to the protesters, any installation of a monarch at this time would amount to a violation of court processes, as the matter is already before the Sagamu Division of the Ogun State High Court in Suit No. HSC/531/2025. They said the case concerns the legitimacy and ownership of the Ewuga stool and the right to appoint a monarch.
The protesters also alleged that they resorted to public demonstration after repeated letters to the Ogun State Government, the Akarigbo of Remoland, and the local government authorities failed to yield a response.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, the leader of the demonstrators, Chief Mojeed Sonuga, said the action became necessary after receiving information that the Akarigbo-in-Council planned to install what he described as a “foreigner” as monarch over Ewuga.
“The protest has become very necessary because we got information that Akarigbo-in-Council wants to install a foreigner as monarch on our land,” he said. “This is despite the fact that the matter is already in court and the parties have been served with the necessary court papers.”
Chief Sonuga stressed that the community was not opposed to the institution of a monarch but objected to what they see as an outsider being imposed on them.
“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,” he added, expressing disappointment that the installation was allegedly being considered despite the pending legal proceedings.
Another protester, Wasiu Sonuga, called for the immediate suspension of the coronation reportedly scheduled for Thursday, warning that proceeding with the ceremony could undermine the rule of law and inflame tensions in the area.
“We heard that they want to install an Oba tomorrow and it is against the proceedings at the court,” he said. “Ewuga community was confirmed by the court to belong to our forefather in a judgment that was delivered in 1985. The Akarigbo even installed one of our family members as the Olori Ilu of Ewuga. Why are they now picking somebody who is not from Ewuga to become the monarch over us?”
He alleged that the planned installation could amount to an attempt to transfer control of Ewuga land to another community.
“We are from Ogun and they are from Makun. It is like they want to cede our land to them,” he said.
The protesters also claimed that political interests might be influencing the process and urged the Ogun State Government to intervene to prevent violence.
“We have it on good authority that some politicians are behind the planned installation. It may result in a breakdown of law and order,” Wasiu Sonuga warned.
As of press time, there had been no official response from the Ogun State Government or the Akarigbo-in-Council regarding the allegations or the status of the planned coronation.
Residents in the area remain on edge, with community leaders and stakeholders calling for restraint and dialogue while awaiting the court’s determination on the dispute. Observers say the situation underscores the sensitivity of traditional leadership issues in many communities, where questions of lineage, land ownership, and authority often intersect with legal and political considerations.
