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.
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.