₦airaland Forum

The Two Yorba Kings Being Punished by The Kwara State Government for Refusing To Bow To The Fulani Emir Of Ilorin

By: Odewale Ajao

In Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria, the long-standing relationship between traditional rulers and the Emirate system has remained a subject of controversy, particularly in communities with deep Yoruba heritage. Two prominent traditional rulers — the Oba of Jebba and the Ohoro of Shao — have drawn public attention over their refusal to pay homage to the Emir of Ilorin, a position that has reportedly resulted in years of strained relations with authorities and alleged administrative sanctions.
These monarchs, both from Moro Local Government Area, have continued to assert their autonomy and cultural identity, maintaining that their thrones are historically rooted in Yoruba tradition and not subordinate to the Ilorin Emirate.
The Oba of Jebba: A Yoruba Monarch Standing Firm
The traditional ruler of Jebba, Oba Kadir Adebara, has consistently maintained his identity as a Yoruba Oba rather than an Emir under the Ilorin Emirate system. According to local accounts, Oba Adebara has refused to pay traditional homage to the Emir of Ilorin, insisting on the historical and cultural independence of Jebba as a Yoruba kingdom.
Jebba, a historic town located along the River Niger, is widely believed to have been part of the Old Oyo Empire, which was once one of the most powerful Yoruba empires in pre-colonial West Africa. Supporters of the monarch argue that this historical connection reinforces the legitimacy of the Oba’s claim to autonomy.
However, reports indicate that since 2003, the Kwara State Government allegedly stopped paying the monarch’s official salary and entitlements. Observers and community stakeholders claim that this action may be linked to his refusal to submit to the traditional hierarchy dominated by the Ilorin Emirate.
Despite these challenges, Oba Adebara has continued to function as the traditional ruler of his people, preserving Yoruba customs, traditions, and identity within his domain.
The Ohoro of Shao: Years of Alleged Non-Recognition
Similarly, the Ohoro of Shao Kingdom, Oba Job Atolagbe, has reportedly faced significant setbacks following his refusal to recognize the authority of the Emir of Ilorin over his kingdom.
Sources within the community claim that the monarch’s staff of office — a critical symbol of traditional authority — was seized, and that his stool was not graded alongside other recognized traditional rulers in the state. Additionally, it has been alleged that his salary and official recognition were withheld for years.
Shao Kingdom, like Jebba, traces its origins to the Old Oyo Empire. Historical narratives within the community state that Shao existed long before the establishment and rise of Ilorin as a Fulani Emirate. The people of Shao maintain strong cultural and linguistic ties to Yoruba heritage, reinforcing their argument for independence within the traditional institution framework.
Despite facing these alleged administrative and political challenges, the Ohoro of Shao has reportedly remained resolute, continuing to uphold the traditions and authority of his ancestors without formally submitting to the Emirate system.
Moro Local Government and the Question of Traditional Autonomy
Both Jebba and Shao are located in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, an area with a significant Yoruba population. Advocates for the monarchs argue that the Nigerian Constitution provides for the recognition of traditional institutions at the local government level, and that each community should have the right to maintain its own traditional council and leadership structure.
Critics of the current arrangement allege that Moro Local Government’s traditional system has been structured in a way that places its traditional rulers under the authority of the Ilorin Emirate, a situation they describe as inconsistent with the historical and cultural identities of some communities.
Cultural Identity, History, and Ongoing Debate
The controversy surrounding these monarchs highlights broader issues involving cultural identity, traditional authority, and governance in Kwara State — a region often described as a meeting point between northern and southwestern Nigerian cultures.
Supporters of the affected monarchs see their stance as a defense of Yoruba heritage and traditional sovereignty, while others view the situation as part of the complex evolution of traditional institutions shaped by colonial and post-colonial administrative arrangements.
Despite years of reported non-recognition and withheld entitlements, both monarchs remain symbols of cultural resilience within their communities.
Calls for Dialogue and Resolution
Stakeholders and cultural advocates have called for dialogue between the Kwara State Government, traditional authorities, and affected communities to address lingering grievances and ensure fairness, recognition, and peaceful coexistence among all traditional institutions in the state.
As debates continue, the cases of the Oba of Jebba and the Ohoro of Shao remain powerful examples of the intersection between tradition, identity, and governance in modern Nigeria

These monarchs, both from Moro Local Government Area, have continued to assert their autonomy and cultural identity, maintaining that their thrones are historically rooted in Yoruba tradition and not subordinate to the Ilorin Emirate.

The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

Why are yorubas not accommodating even to their host?


Yorubas should learn to respect their host.

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

Go and arrest and prosecute them, ewu.

The yoruba tribe should come together to fight this nonsense. Islam is all about conquest.

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

Emir of Ilorin.
Oba of Benin
Oba of Lagos Island (Eko)
Emir of Kano
Obi of Onitsha
Olu of Warri
Tor of Tiv
Attah of Igala
Etsu of Nupe
Olubadan of Ibadan
Obong of Calabar
Alake of Egbaland
Awujale of Ijebuland
Dein of Agbor
Asagba of Asaba
Ohinoyi of Ebiraland
Akarigbo of Remoland
Osemawe of Ondo
Sultan of Sokoto
Deji of Akure
Lamido of Adamawa

These people cover areas that are limited. They each have a specific geographical domain or "kingdom" over which they exercise traditional and cultural authority. Some of them have a sphere of influence which is significant like the Ooni who is considered a spiritual leader or the Sultan of Sokoto for Muslims but haven't you seen the Ooni get snubbed by another oba to show you that they all have domains? Have you heard of the Emir of Kwara? Who's he?

They should BOW in the name of peace

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

You b mumu
that your so call Emir will see white people he will go on his kee to grt them you are here talking like ode

Pat081:
You b mumu
that your so call Emir will see white people he will go on his kee to grt them you are here talking like ode

It doesn't matter. The most important thing is, all the yoruba obas in Kwara must bow to the Fulani Emir or get punished.

Qed.

You need deliverance

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

Nice 👍, I support them

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

No go carry placard and cry to Tinubu to release Nnamdi kanu

GodPunishOsu:
No go carry placard and cry to Tinubu to release Nnamdi kanu

You still have time for Kanu and ipob and Igbo when kwara is totally going even the moro u're talking about right now is under heavy assault a lot of the yorubas are relocated you are here looking at the igbo,,,shame

owobokiri:
They should BOW in the name of peace

The emir should accept them not bowing for the sake of peace

But why can't the Yoruba obas respect their host.

Zonefree:
[b][/b]
The two obas should be arrested and prosecuted.

The Emir remains the paramount ruler in Kwara. All Obas must be loyal and bow to him.

Yorubas should learn to respect their host.

Jebba probably have more land than Ilorin. It is just lacking population. It is made up of almost forty communities across Kwara and Niger. Jebba was there before Ilorin. Shao too was there. Jebba did not at any time in the past pay homage to Ilorin

Sulu Gambari should go and rest. He should be satisfied with just Ilorin that fell for the Fulani tricks and whims and leave the rest alone.

zeuss:
You still have time for Kanu and ipob and Igbo when kwara is totally going even the moro u're talking about right now is under heavy assault a lot of the yorubas are relocated you are here looking at the igbo,,,shame

We're planing, meeting and finding solution to our issues without involving Osuruike, I expect you to do same but it seem i overestimate Osuruike.your lord and saviour is rotting away in sokoto prison,instead of you people to worry about that,the Osuness in you won't allow you to think straight.moreover there's nothing like igbo your ancestors are called ibo.

Putinofrussia:

Those Osuruike people are cursed

Adaisback:
Sulu Gambari should go and rest. He should be satisfied with just Ilorin that fell for the Fulani tricks and whims and leave the rest alone.

Mazi Nnamdi kanu is the cause 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

Why are the Yorubas complaining?

They are a Feudo-monarchical people who pretend to love democracy, but have always supported the mighty oppressors against the oppressed in the entire history of Nigeria.

The Fulanis took Yorubaland (Kwara) by conquest, and should rightfully rule over them according to Yoruba feudo-monarchical style of politics..

Bend and Bow to the Fulanis, so that peace will reign and stop complaining..

It is exactly what you have told the Igbo and others to do, whenever they complain in Nigeria since 1960.