The controversy erupted following viral reports suggesting that the Yoruba community in Enugu had unanimously chosen Adebayo as their new traditional ruler. Adebayo, originally from Osun State, claimed that his appointment marked the first time an Oba had been selected to lead the Yoruba community in Enugu, which he said includes members from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara states.

However, in a statement released by Ogbu Ifeoma, Head of the Public Relations Unit at the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs, the state government clarified that no such appointment had taken place. According to the statement, the ministry had convened a conflict resolution meeting with Yoruba community leaders on the Obaship issue, but no individual was adopted as Oba during the meeting.

The ministry emphasized that the meeting was part of a broader peace-building process aimed at resolving internal disputes within the Yoruba community in Enugu State, rather than appointing a new traditional ruler.