Residents in Ajah community of Lagos have rejected the alleged imposition of Olumegbon as Oba of Ajah on the community by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Ridwan Akiolu.
They claimed that Olumegbon is alien to the people of Ajah while stressing that Baale of Ajah is the only traditional head known and approved by the State government.
The residents, comprising 52 families that make up Ajah community, during a peaceful protest at the Lagos House on Monday, wanted Olumegbon to limit his traditional relevance to Lagos Island where he is Olori Idejo, and not meddle in Ajah chieftaincy affairs.
They appealed to the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to call Oba Akiolu to order and upturn his decision to prevent a repeat of the 2003 incident when scores of lives were lost and properties destroyed.
A spokesperson for the agitators, Prince Kazeem Azeez Odunlami stated, “We don’t want any imposition in Ajah. We are appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to call Oba of Lagos to order. Oba of Lagos is not bigger than the State Governor therefore he cannot upturn the approval of the state. The Oba of Lagos cannot be an Oba without the approval of the state governor therefore he should honour the approval of Baale of Ajah by the state governor.
“We, the 52 families don’t want Olumegbon in Ajah. Let Olumegbon be restricted to Lagos as they are traditionally known. Oba of Lagos should let us breathe. He should not impose Olumegbon on us. Olumegbon is alien to us in Ajah.
“We are not here to fight. Our being here is to prevent anarchy. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in 2003 when many lives were lost and property destroyed. We want the state governor and the Lagos State Assembly to swing into action and prevent Olumegbon from installing a king in Ajah.
“The Baale of Ajah shall remain Eti-Osa council member and chieftaincy committee and Lagos State chieftaincy committee member as reflected in the Eti-Osa chieftaincy declaration of 1957.
“The 52 families that make up Ajah are not subjected to Olumegbon. We are subjected to Olomodi who has been representing Ajah since over 300 years ago.
“Olumegbon is trying to install a king in Ajah community in the person of Kolawole Olumegbon. This is a taboo! Despite this contention, they are still working assiduously to impose Olumegbon as Oba of Ajah on the people of Ajah community. This negates our tradition and culture. In the history of Obaship and chieftaincy in Lagos, there is nothing like Olumegbon of Ajah. Olumegbon should continue to reside on the Island as Olori Idejo and avoid our affairs in Ajah.
“The general public should be aware of this wrongdoing. Ajah has woken up and we will never allow any impostor to deprive us of our rights. Our newly elected Baale of Ajah, High Chief Ismail Adewale Adamson has been installed and his letter of approval has been issued by the state government duly signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Oba Akiolu wrote to Oba Saheed Elegbushi not to admit Baale of Ajah into Eti-Osa chieftaincy committee. Baale of Ajah is never a viceroy to any Oba because we have our own declaration.”
The joint Secretary of Ojupon and Ogunsemo ruling families of Ajah, Kabiru Ogunsemo said, “We don’t want the governor to be coerced into installing Oba of Ajah. We are not consenting to this. We have a Baale in Ajah who is an indigene of the community. If we are having a king in Ajah, let our Baale be elevated to an Obaship position. Olumegbon is alien to us. We are here for peace. Oba Akiolu cannot tell the chieftaincy committee not to recognise our Baale. You cannot have two children and be pampering one against the other. We are calling on the governor to intervene to prevent breakdown of law and order. The gazette of Olumegbon is family-based while our gazette is community-based.”
Addressing the protesters, Deputy Director, Office of Political, legislative, and Civic Engagement, Mrs Kemi Arigbangba assured them that the government is already investigating their petition.
She said, “The Local Government and Chieftaincy committee is working on your petitions. I understand your agitation and I assure that everything will be addressed. We have not your complaints and I assure you they will be forwarded to appropriate quarters. By the time the House of Assembly resumes, we will follow up. I know the chieftaincy committee is already handling it but I assure you we will follow-up and get back to you.”
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