The Lisabi Festival Committee has issued a strong rebuttal to online claims that the forthcoming 39th edition of the historic celebration is being transformed into a platform for the cultural fashion initiative championed by the Aare of Egbaland, Chief Lai Labode, known as “Egbaliganza.”
The Lisabi Festival is an annual cultural celebration held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to honour the legendary Egba warrior, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, who led the revolt against the Oyo Empire in the 18th century and secured the independence of the Egba people.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Asipa of Egbaland, Chief Rasheed Raji, who also serves as Chairman of the Lisabi Festival Committee, the committee debunked a viral video suggesting that the festival now revolves around Egbaliganza, describing it as “entirely false, misleading, and a distortion of historical truth.”
Raji emphasised that the festival remains a sacred annual homage to Lisabi, the 17th-century Egba warrior who led his people to freedom from the old Oyo Empire’s domination.
“This enduring legacy that we commemorate annually is not for any commercial or fashion enterprise.
“We acknowledge Egbaliganza as a commendable innovation promoting Egba fashion and enterprise under Chief Labode’s leadership. The committee maintains that both initiatives are separate and distinct.
“Only about two hours within the week-long programme have been allocated for an Egbaliganza showcase of Egba attire,” Raji stated, describing the slot as purely honorary and not intended to redefine or overshadow the festival’s historical focus.
Raji stressed that the 39th Lisabi Festival is scheduled to be held from March 23 to 29, 2026, with the grand finale fixed for March 28 in Abeokuta.
He added that recent promotional materials from Egbaliganza’s camp, highlighting international participation, royal presence, cultural parades, and the global positioning of Egba heritage, have helped fuel public perception that the fashion brand is becoming a central pillar of the celebration.
According to him, some social media users have loosely branded the event as “Lisabi Festival (Egbaliganza),” a narrative the committee appears determined to correct.
“The firm response comes against the backdrop of lingering debate following Egbaliganza’s high-profile debut at the 2025 Lisabi festivities.
“While many praised the colourful fashion spectacle for injecting fresh vibrancy into the annual event, some traditional stakeholders quietly expressed concern that the growing glamour could dilute the festival’s spiritual and historical essence.
“Even some committee leaders were unequivocal in their closing message: ‘We are celebrating our hero. We are celebrating our history. We are celebrating Lisabi,’” he added.
The statement concluded with the traditional rallying cry, “Egba Agbewa Ooo,” underscoring that the Lisabi Festival remains, first and foremost, a solemn commemoration of Egba liberation and identity, not a fashion showcase.
The PUNCH