The Oba of Jebba, Kadir Adebara, says the Kwara State Government has withheld his salary for over two decades due to his refusal to recognize the emirate’s authority over his traditional domain.
Oba Adebara insists he is a Yoruba monarch and will not pay homage to the Emir of Ilorin, citing Jebba’s historical ties to the Old Oyo Empire. His supporters contend that the town’s Yoruba heritage places it outside the emirate system, which holds sway in other parts of Kwara State.
The monarch and his backers claim his salary has been stopped since 2003, a situation they attribute to his stance on traditional autonomy. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Yoruba chieftaincy institutions and the emirate structure in the state.
Similar conflicts over traditional hierarchy have emerged in other Kwara communities, reflecting the state’s complex mix of Yoruba and emirate governance systems.
Some observers have called on the Alaafin of Oyo to visit Jebba as a gesture of support, reinforcing cultural connections rooted in the old Oyo Empire.
The Kwara State Government has not issued a public statement on the salary allegations.
READ ALSO:
- Atiku Counters Tinubu, Says Nigeria Costlier Than Kenya Despite Lower Fuel Prices
- What a Hausa Groom Must Bring Before the Fatiha
- US Begins Visa Sanctions on Nigerians Linked to Religious Freedom Violations
- FG Reduces Import Duties on Rice, Vehicles, Steel as New 2026 Fiscal Policy Takes Effect
- Tinubu Orders Urgent Measures to Shield Nigerians from Middle East Crisis Fallout
