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After 38 years as Oba of Lagos, the demise of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan has thrown Nigeria's foremost commercial city into a frenzy of traditional institution politics. This article is culled from www.thisdayonline.com
Politics of Oba Oyekan's Succession
Perhaps Lagos is the only city in the country today where politics will be taking place at two levels - the traditional institution level and the modern day government level. The death of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan who gave up the ghost at the high brow St. Nichola s Hospital last Friday has created a succession struggle among the princes and the ruling houses. Similarly, the battle for who will rule Lagos State from May 29 is going on at another level with about six other people challenging the incumbent, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the struggle for who replaces Oyekan as Oba, THISDAY investigation has shown that the eligible ruling houses include the Oniru, Eshinlokun, Ojora, Kosoko and Dosunmu houses.
The Adeniji-Adele family who are from the Ologun Kutere ruling house produced the Oba Musediku Adeniji Adele II who reigned before Oba Oyekan II. It was gathered that the tussle between Adeniji-Adele and Oyekan was so intense that it had to be settled by a court ruling in a landmark case that has come to be known as the Adele versus Oyekan case. After the death of Adeniji-Adele, the late Oba Oyekan, who was from the Dosumu ruling house, took over the stool in 1965. With this account, the Adeniji Adele family representing the Ologun Kutere ruling house as well as the Oyekan family and the Dosumu ruling house are automatically ruled out of the Obaship contest.
Of all the ruling houses, THISDAY gathered that Eshinlokun, where the former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Prince Rilwanu Akiolu came from is one of the favoured houses to contest for the stool. This is inspite of the other powerful ruling houses angling for the position. Other royal families belived to have strong claims to the throne are the Ojora and Oniru ruling houses.
According to investigation however, many Lagosians believe that Otunba Adekunle Ojora from the Ojora ruling house has the brightest chance because of his wealth, connection, friendship and romance with the Oni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade II. THISDAY was told yesterday that Ojora is one hundred per cent ready and has shown interest in contesting for the stool. Ojora who sits on the board of many companies and enjoys the support of some white cap chiefs was born to the royal family of Ojora, in 1932. He was a journalist and civil servant until 1961 when he resigned and joined the business world. In 1963 he was appointed to the board of the UAC as a director and AGIP Nigeria Plc, among other companies.
Akiolu, a lawyer and former policeman, though not as rich as Ojora, enjoys support from other white cap chiefs, including the Eletu Odibo, in whose palace the final decision would be taken. He was also close to the late monarch, a plus, some believe would work in his favour. Oba Oyekan II treated him like a son.
He is also believed to enjoy the suport of wealthy business magnate, Chief Deinde Fernandez who is equally very close to govenor Tinubu.
There is also Chief Musiliu Anibaba, who has harboured ambition to become an Oba.
A Lagos based lawyer and chief, who is currently writing a book on the history of the indegines of Lagos State, Chief Pekun Martins said the process of electing an Oba starts with their ruling families selecting a candidate each to represent the ruling houses. He explained that some houses may refuse to forward the name of any candidate for lack of interest or the funds to pursue the dream. Martins said due to the horse trading that goes with the choice of a candidate, a ruling house may choose to concede the position after a negotiation with other houses. He added that, as it is in partisan politics, the Obaship tussle also has assumed a position where huge money is spent by the contestants in order to win votes and support. And this is where many see the calculation throwing up Ojora for the position. Others are not relenting, as they get in touch with family members abroad to lend their support in both cash and kind. Ojora may also ahve a match in Akiolu if Fernandez puts his money behind his candidate.
The interesting thing also is that the king makers could not be easily identified apart from the white cap chiefs and the Eletu Odibo. This is because despite reigning for 38 years, the late Oba made a lot of changes, while the law of Lagos State has also changed over the years. "They can only be identified when the process of selection begins. Forget any story they are telling you now. Of course, names would be thrown up," Martins further explained.
The late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dr. Teslim Olawale Elias in his book: Nigeria, The Development of its Laws and Constitution noted that during British rule, Lagos was administered by a city council and the Oba of Lagos was made the ex-officio
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