Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Osinle of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, has conferred traditional titles on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State.
The PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, was installed as the Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba at a ceremony held on Thursday at the monarch's palace in Sapon, Abeokuta.
His wife, Adenike Omolola Adebutu, was also installed as Yeye Lisa Aje of Oke-Ona Egba.
The ceremony is seen as a major traditional endorsement for the Ogun State PDP as the party seeks to reclaim the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027.
Other PDP leaders honoured at the ceremony included Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, who was installed as Okanlomo Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba; the party's chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, as Fiwagbola of Oke-Ona Egba; and Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, the deputy governorship candidate, as Olu Nla Obinrin of Oke-Ona Egba.
Also installed were Arch. Dele Olaleye as Sesogbayi; Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello as Oluomo Obinrin; and Chief Abiodun Ogunremi as Otun Olu-Nla of Oke-Ona Egba.
Speaking at the event, Oba Tejuoso said the titles were not merely ceremonial but were reserved for individuals whose character had earned the confidence of the traditional institution.
"Ladi Adebutu is a tested man. He is somebody whose character and antecedents we have observed over time. We consider him a trustworthy person," the monarch said.
In his response, Adebutu described the honour as a call to greater service.
"I do not see this honour as just a traditional recognition. I see it as a responsibility and a call to greater service," he said.
The installation comes amid heightened political activities in Ogun State, with the APC and PDP mobilising traditional institutions, community leaders and grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Traditional titles remain an important source of recognition and influence in the Southwest, particularly in Abeokuta, where Egba traditional institutions play significant roles in community affairs and grassroots mobilisation.
Ogun 2027: Oba Tejuoso gives PDP leadership traditional backing, installs Adebutu as Lisa Aje