The Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, has conferred traditional titles on the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, his wife, Adenike, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other party chieftains.
The installation held on Thursday at the monarch’s palace in Sapon, Abeokuta, saw Adebutu conferred with the title of Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba, while his wife, Yeye Adenike Omolola Adebutu, received the title of Yeye Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba.
Other PDP leaders honoured included Iyabo Obasanjo, who became Okanlomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba; the state party chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, installed as Fiwagbola of Oke-Ona Egba; and Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, who received the title of Olu Nla Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba.
Also installed were Arch. Dele Olaleye as Sesogbayi of Oke-Ona Egba; Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello as Oluomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba; and Chief Abiodun Ogunremi as Otun Olu-Nla of Oke-Ona Egba.
The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, political figures, community leaders and members of the Ogun State PDP leadership.
Speaking at the event, Oba Tejuoso said the titles were reserved for individuals whose character, credibility and contributions had earned the confidence of the traditional institution.
He described Adebutu as a trustworthy person whose character and antecedents had been observed over time.
“Ladi Adebutu is a tested man. He is somebody whose character and antecedents we have observed over time. We consider him a trustworthy person, someone we believe can be relied upon. That is why we have found him deserving of this honour,” the monarch said.
He urged Adebutu and his wife to use their recognition to contribute to the development of Oke-Ona Egba and Ogun State.
In his response, Adebutu thanked the monarch and the Oke-Ona Egba traditional institution, describing the honour as a responsibility and a call to greater service.
“I do not see this honour as just a traditional recognition or something to celebrate and forget. I see it as a responsibility and a call to greater service. It is a reminder that the people expect more from those who have been entrusted with positions of honour,” he said.
He pledged to contribute to the development of Egbaland and Ogun State, adding that residents deserved better opportunities and an environment where they could prosper.
The monarch presented certificates to the new titleholders and performed other traditional rites associated with their installation.
Adebutu, who also contested the Ogun governorship election in 2023, emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 poll after the party’s governorship primary in May. However, his candidacy has faced uncertainty following his omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list of governorship candidates for the February 2027 election. reported that INEC rejected his petition over the omission, while Adebutu has maintained that he remains the party’s duly nominated candidate.
In September, Adebutu and his wife were also installed as Gbademu and Yeye Gbademu of Owu Kingdom by the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, at a ceremony in Abeokuta.