July 31, (THEWILL) – His Royal Highness, Oba Gbadebo Aremu Adedotun, the Alake of Egbaland, has given his support to the APC candidate for Abeokuta South Constituency in the House of Assembly Election in Ogun State, Hon. Taiwo Dorego. The reason is not farfetched: Dorego’s father, Chief Segun Taiwo, who was a politician and the former Oluwo of Ake, in Ogun State played an unforgettable role in the emergence of Oba Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland in 2005.
There was a great royal tussle between Gbadebo Aremu Adedotun and his younger brother, Adeleke Gbadebo, for the throne, following the demise of the former king, Oba Mofolorunsho Oyebade Lipede, who ruled Egbaland between 1972 and 2005 and died after spending 33 years on the throne.
The then Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was in support of the younger brother and wanted him to emerge as the king by all means. Adeleke was more popular and commanded more influence than his brother, who was a former Army Colonel. The governor tried to impose his own choice as the Alake, but the timely intervention and influence of two people, the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representativeas, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Chief Taiwo who prevailed over the will of the state governor and influenced the king makers to announce the winner of the election held to choose the next king.
When the governor traveled abroad, the result of the election was hurriedly announced within seven days as against 14 days stipulated by the law to announce the winner. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo’s name was announced before the state governor came back from his trip so he couldn’t go against the will of the people of Egbaland again. Since then, the traditional ruler has always supported the Taiwo’s family as he regards them as a family that is reliable, disciplined and faithful in serving humanity.
