Coronation of Oba Ilugbusi As Elesun of Esun-Ekiti: The Audacity of Hope and Triumph of Popular Will
By Israel Bolaji
The ancient town of Esun-Ekiti, located in Ikole local government of Ekiti State, came alive with great joy and excitement on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The state Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, personally led a high-powered delegation of government officials to perform the official ceremony and hand over the staff of office, crowning the week-long coronation of the new monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olasehinde Bankole Adesesan Ilugbusi, Arohunmokinise II, as the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti.
The youthful monarch who joins the ranks of Yoruba kings such as the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi who ascended the throne in their 40s, hails from the Atiba royal family of the town.
Dignitaries from across the state, along with family, friends, and well-wishers from both within Nigeria and abroad, gathered in massive celebration. Among the attendees were Permanent Secretaries, local government officials, and numerous eminent Yoruba monarchs from Ikole local government and beyond.
Family members, friends, relatives, professionals, and social groups added vibrant colour to the festivities while various masquerade and cultural youth groups serenaded the crowd with delightful musical and acrobatic performances.
A lavish reception party later catered to all attendees after the formal programme while a church thanksgiving service on Sunday at St. Luke Church, Esun-Ekiti, capped weeks of joyous activities.
The grand finale had followed a series of cultural ceremonies, festivals, and traditional rites that began in the last two weeks of July. This included the seclusion period for the king, culminating in the installation ceremony on July 25th.
In a display of affection indicating popular acceptance, various groups in the town—across age grades, chieftaincy, social, cultural, economic, and traditional religious sectors—participated in processions that saw them march through the town with the new monarch. This symbolised solidarity and a new beginning, uniting the community for a common purpose.
With Oba Ilugbusi’s ascension, the living legacy of Arohunmokinise’s royal heritage is renewed, strengthened, and destined to shine for generations. Although he is the 13th monarch in the town’s history, his ascension signifies a great triumph of the people’s will and a shift that finally restores balance to the throne’s history.
This change follows decades of disquiet and agitation over the long-standing dominance of the revered throne by the Iloda royal family, one of three families historically entitled to it. While historical accounts and official records recognise the Iloda, Ijisun, and Atiba royal families as entitled to the throne, the last nine occupants in the course of over 200 years have been exclusively from the Iloda family.
Available records show that the town’s first and second monarchs were from the Ijisun royal house while the third one was from the Atiba royal house. But since the era of the fourth monarch who hailed from the Iloda family, the other two families have not been allowed to produce a king.
This was further fueled by an erroneous codification of the chieftaincy tradition and customs of Esun-Ekiti during Oba John Osanyingbemi’s reign in 1959.
The town had experienced series of agitations including an interregnum in the past sixty years, with numerous meetings and peace attempts failing to restore order—until now, thanks to the current administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, affectionately known as BAO. His administration rallied and encouraged stakeholders to adhere to the town’s original agreements and allow the kingmakers to make their choice without undue interference.
The state government in a reaction highlighted the Esun Chieftaincy Declarations, which recognise the Atiba, Iloda, and Ijisun ruling houses as the three royal dynasties eligible to produce the Elesun. It noted that the combined effects of the Appeal Court judgment delivered on April 14, 2025, and the outcome of the Justice Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission invalidated any contrary views.
Meanwhile reports indicate that the last two late monarchs, Oba Samuel Omojola and Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, consented to the inclusion of Ijisun and Atiba as part of the ruling houses in the community in line with the original practice. This development also contributed to the selection of the new monarch, who was widely endorsed by the kingmakers as the popular choice.
The era of Oba Ilugbusi, Arohunmokinise II, who descends from Oba Arohunmokinise I, the town’s third monarch, has signalled a restoration of order, unity, and friendship—principles upon which the town was founded.
A statement from the Commissioner of Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in June regarding the monarch’s appointment emphasized that “the provision of the Chiefs Law (2012) was strictly adhered to in the selection of Prince Bankole Olasehinde Ilugbusi as the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti-elect, and legal notice was authorized for publication in the State Government Gazette.”
While presenting the staff of office to the monarch at the coronation ceremony, Afuye noted that Oba Ilugbusi’s appointment was “duly ratified in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law 2012. The said appointment was approved by the Executive Governor of the State on July 2, and installation took place on July 25th 2025, with the staff of office presented by myself to the new Kabiyesi, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti today August 2, 2025.”
In his acceptance speech, Oba Ilugbusi stated that his ascension “marks a new chapter and a vibrant new dawn for beloved Esun-Ekiti town.
“As we embrace this new beginning for growth and development, love and cultural celebration, let us remember the words of a foremost pan-Africanist, Nelson Mandela: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.,” he noted.
He pledged that during his reign, “the town will experience peace and progress. The welfare, wellness, and wellbeing of every indigenous Esun will be our top priority, irrespective of religious belief, social or cultural backgrounds, or political affiliation. Sharing, they say, is caring.”
He added, “Together, we will forge a path of unity, where development flourishes, enabling both young and old, as well as those at home and abroad, to thrive. This era will witness the safety, prosperity, and joy we all deserve, with your support and prayers.
“We in Esun-Ekiti, and particularly the Royal House of Atiba (Arohunmokinise Royal Dynasty), are tremendously grateful to the Ekiti State Government for laying the groundwork that guided the kingmakers in the selection process based on equity, fairness, and justice, in line with the provisions of the June 20, 2020 declaration recognising Atiba and Ijisun as ruling houses.”
Oba Ilugbusi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ekiti State University and was preparing to pursue a postgraduate degree in Business Administration and Management at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, before he answered the call of duty to become a monarch. He is an astute businessman with interests in cash crop trading and construction.
As the newly crowned Arohunmokinise II, Oba Ilugbusi brings unmatched humility, resourcefulness, youthfulness, exposure, creativity and deep cultural pride to his reign. His declared vision is noble and unwavering – to champion sustainable development across Esun-Ekiti, preserve the rich traditions of the land, and unite his people both at home and in the diaspora under one banner of progress, peace, and pride.
