A dramatic scene reportedly unfolded at the palace of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, when the monarch allegedly ordered Adebiyi Adeleye, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ogun State House of Assembly, Remo North State Constituency, out of the palace during a visit by the party’s 2027 campaign team.

The incident occurred shortly after the inauguration of the Ogun State APC Campaign Council in Abeokuta, the state capital. Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC governorship candidate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, members of the campaign council and other party stakeholders subsequently proceeded to the Akarigbo’s palace.

On arrival, the governor, Yayi and some senior stakeholders were received by the monarch in his inner chamber, while other members of the delegation remained in the palace hall.

After the meeting, the Akarigbo, accompanied by the governor, Yayi and other stakeholders, emerged to address those waiting in the hall.

It was during the gathering that the monarch reportedly sighted Adeleye and ordered him to leave the palace, while also directing him not to return.

The development is believed to be connected to the lingering disagreement between Adeleye and the traditional institution over the emergence and installation of Oba Ayoola Bada as the Olu Imagbon of Imagbon in Remo North Local Government.

The Akarigbo, in his capacity as the paramount ruler of Remoland, played his traditional role in the process that culminated in the emergence and installation of Oba Bada. The Ogun State Government subsequently presented the monarch with his certificate and staff of office.

Adeleye was, however, said to have opposed the emergence of Oba Bada, a position that reportedly triggered friction between him and the traditional institution.

Sources in Remo further alleged that Adeleye had, on several occasions, made remarks considered disparaging of the monarch, including questioning the extent of the Akarigbo’s traditional authority across Remoland.

He was also alleged to have suggested that the Akarigbo’s authority was limited to Sagamu and did not extend to the entire Remo Kingdom.

The disagreement is particularly notable because Adeleye had previously sought the blessing of the Akarigbo when he contested for the House of Representatives seat representing the Remo Federal Constituency.

The latest incident has raised concerns among political stakeholders over the possible implications of the strained relationship for Adeleye’s 2027 ambition and the APC’s grassroots mobilisation in Remo North.

Some party members and political stakeholders have also expressed concern that the dispute could create difficulties for the party in coordinating its campaign and mobilisation efforts in the constituency.

The development comes as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 general elections following the inauguration of its campaign council in Abeokuta.

There have also been reports of defections from the APC in Remo North following Adeleye’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the state House of Assembly, raising concerns among party stakeholders about the potential impact on the party’s campaign activities in the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.

The palace confrontation has further heightened political tensions surrounding Adeleye, with attention now focused on how the APC leadership will manage the situation ahead of the 2027 elections.

As of press time, neither the palace of the Akarigbo nor Adebiyi Adeleye had responded to the development. Efforts to obtain their reactions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.