The Dosunmu Onikoyi royal family of Ikoyi-Obalende and Imoba has chosen Prince Abdul Ganiu Onikoyi as the oba-elect for the Ikoyi-Obalende and Imoba kingdom.
The oba-elect, according to the secretary of the royal family, Prince Ademola Ajasa, emerged in an election attended by the head and representatives from each of the eight lineages.
Speaking further on the voting pattern, Ajasa said the oba-elect had six votes to emerge the candidate of the family while one family abstained and another family absent.
He said: “Today’s journey commenced after the announcement and confirmation of the demise of Oba Patrick Ibikunle Fafunwa.
“The Dosunmu Onikoyi royal house wasted no time to put in place various machineries to present the next oba.
“Calls were made to senior members and other key factors of the eight lineages of Dosunmu Onikoyi. Messages were also sent to the above members to signify their interests in the obaship race.
“Six aspirants were screened for the stool out of which the candidate for the Onikoyi stool emerged in the person of Prince AbdulGaniu Onikoyi.
“In the election, Prince Ganiu scored six out of the eight votes from the eight lineages that took part in the process.
“Therefore, he returned elected as the Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Moba lands from the Dosunmu Onikoyi royal house.”
In his acceptance speech, the oba-elect appreciated all members of the lineages, just as he promised to reunite and promote the interest of the entire Onikoyi family.
He said: “I am grateful to the entire Onikoyi family. I am going to unite the family not only my immediate family but the entire Onikoyi family. There is a division with the family. We need to come together and move on.
“I am going to promote the interest of our youths and create opportunities that will take them out of poverty.
“There is also a need for an improved respect for the institution of obas and chiefs as it was in the olden days. We need to bring that unity and respect for the obas.”
