Kehinde Ishola
The Gbeleru Royal Family of Igbajo in Osun State has confirmed the death of a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the 30th Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun.
In a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday and signed by Prince Adekunle Famodun on behalf of the family, the monarch was said to have passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, after a brief illness. He was aged 67.
The statement said the late monarch was married and is survived by children.
Oba Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on November 24, 2022, by the former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.
Although his appointment was later disputed following a white paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State High Court reinstated him on January 30, 2025.
The family described his reign as one marked by peace and unity.
“During his reign, Oba Adegboyega Famodun worked tirelessly to unite the people of Igbajoland, promoting peace, understanding and progress,” the statement said.
Before his ascension to the throne, Famodun served as Chairman of the Osun State APC.
On March 12, 2024, the Osun State Government approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, to replace Famodun. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Local Government and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi.
However, the Osun APC, in a statement by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, faulted the decision, insisting that the stool remained the subject of pending court cases.
The Owa of Igbajo stool became vacant in November 2022 when the Ademola Adeleke-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government removed Prince Adegboyega Famodun, who had been installed by the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC.