when elective politics began in the western region in 1951, olagbegi was one of the prominent traditional rulers who supported the action group and who was involved in the politics of that era. the action group's public launch was at his palace in 1951. in 1962, two factions emerged within the party, the akintola group led by the regional premier, ladoke akintola and the awolowo group led by the previous premier, obafemi awolowo. olagbegi sided with the akintola group pitching him against his friend michael ajasin, a member of the house of representatives and majority of the community members who were still behind ag. in his push to solidify support for akintola in owo, he was met with opposition from awolowo supporters and from the majority of owo residents. many owo residents did not support his opposition and displacement of the co-regent at ijebu-owo and the use of police force at the nearby village of isho. when a military coup cut short the first republic, public revolt by awolowo supporters and owo community led to open display of violence within owo forcing the military governor, adekunle fajuyi to suspend the olowo. olowo thenwent to exile in ibadan. in 1968, he returned to owo but strong opposition to his rule forced him back into exile. he was finally removed from office by governor, adeyinka adebayo in 1969.