The traditional ruler of Itori kingdom located in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Fatai Akamo has debunked media report that he conferred chieftaincy title of “King of the Street” on controversial musician, Habeeb Okikiola (popularly called Portable).
In a statement, the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Palace of the Olu of Itori Egbaland, faulted the report attributed to the Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, alleging that Akinyemi was only out to blackmail Akamo for no just course
The statement read: ‘The attention of the Palace of the Olu of Itori Egbaland has been drawn to an open letter originating from the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi alleging the Olu of Itori Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo of purportedly installing Portable as King of street’.
‘This allegation in its entirety is unfounded, baseless and incorrect as the Olu of Itori has been on the exalted throne of his forebears for more than 21 years and would not be involved in any act that can desecrate the rich culture and heritage of the Yoruba tradition’.
The Olu of Itori explained that, contrary to the Eselus claims, the musician was named “King of the Street” in 2024 by the farmers association in Ore, Ondo State, explaining that that was equally reported in The PUNCH newspapers of 7 December 2024 and circulated in the social media
‘For the avoidance of doubt, the controversial singer, Portable was named “King of the Street” by the Farmers Association in Ore, Ondo State, sometimes in December 2024. The event, which was widely circulated in the print media, stirred controversy on social media. Check The PUNCH newspaper of 7th of December 2024. The controversial investiture of the singer was published in the paper. The controversial singer even posted it on his verified social media accounts’, the statement further read.
Akamo explained that during the just concluded 21st coronation anniversary, held at his palace, Portable came in the controversial costumes bestowed on him by the said farmers association and was subsequently asked to remove it, because it was a desecration of the rich culture and heritage of the Yoruba race, and he immediately complied.
The statement went further: ‘During the just concluded 21st coronation anniversary of the Olu of Itori, which took place at Olu of Itori’s Palace on 28th of February 2025, the controversial singer was dressed in the costumes to the event as a guest. He was invited by the official photographer to the palace. On his arrival, he was requested to remove the costumes as it is a desecration of the rich culture and heritage of the Yoruba race. The singer immediately removed the costumes before entering into the event where the occasion took place.
‘As a matter of fact, the controversial singer was brought forward to pay homage to the Olu of Itori without the costumes, and he did not appear in those costumes throughout his stay at the event. It is important to set the records straight as the Olu of Itori cannot be a party to distortion of the rich culture and tradition of the Yoruba race’.
Akamo, however, called on the Eselu of Iselu to retract the statement and put the accurate account into the public without further delay, stressing that the retraction would be honourable for him before it is too late.
