Install Monarch for Ikeja, Kingmakers Urge Sanwo-Olu

 

The body of kingmakers in Ikeja community of Lagos yesterday urged the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to launch an inquest into what has caused the delay in installing a traditional ruler for the state capital five years after the kingmakers had presented an Oba-elect.

Addressing journalists at Ikeja yesterday, the Secretary to the body of kingmakers, Chief Olufemi Titi-Thomas, said an Oba-elect in the person of Prince Samsondeen Adeleye had emerged since December 2014, but wondered why the state government has kept silence on the development.

Welcoming Sanwo-Olu on behalf of his colleagues, the kingmakers’ scribe, who is also the Ashipa of Ikeja, said the community had implicit confidence in his ability as the new governor “to correct this anomaly.

“We welcome Your Excellency and pray for a fruitful tenure for you and your team, but we also appeal that you intervene in the delay in installing an Oba for Ikeja, as we, the kingmakers, had taken a decision on the issue five years ago.

“When the last Olu of Ikeja, Oba Rafiu Matemi Amore1, joined his ancestors in October 2014, we called for nomination from the next Ruling House, which is the Oshoja Ruling Family.

“Only Pince Adeleye indicated interest by writing us a letter. So the kingmakers under the leadership of former Lagos State Deputy Governor, the late Chief Rafiu Jafojo, consulted the Ifa oracle, which approved of the candidate, and we did the necessary native rites before presenting his name to the Ikeja Local Government authorities.

“Ever since then, we have not heard from the state government which is in a position to approve the choice of the Oba-elect.”

He said the delay in installing the Oba-elect had led to the politicisation of the Ikeja traditional institution, which he regretted had led to various disaffections among the natives, a situation he described as inimical to progress.

Titi-Thomas, however, thanked the governor for appointing “an illustrious indigene of Ikeja, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, as your Chief of Staff,” noting that “we can assure you that he will never let you down.”

He also hailed his choice of Alhaji Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the Head of Service, describing the new appointee as “a tested hand, who holds the traditional institution in high esteem.”