Kayode Fasua
The royal dispute in Ikeja community of Lagos worsened at the weekend, as the Body of Kingmakers in the city distanced itself from a claim by one of the princes, that he had been nominated as the new Olu of Ikeja.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Secretary to the Body of Kingmakers in Ikejaland, Chief Olufemi Titi-Thomas, said the kingmakers took exception to a claim by Prince Wasiu Adeleye, that he is the duly recognised Oba-elect.
Wasiu had written a letter to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, asking the governor to crown him.
In the letter to Ambode, dated February 4, 2019, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, Wasiu had stated, “This is to inform Your Excellency that I am a bonafide choice of the Ifa oracle, kingmakers and the entire family (and) all these are backed by documentary evidences which we are ready to produce when the time comes.”
But in his reaction, Titi-Thomas, the scribe to the kingmakers, said, “Wasiu Adeleye has only succeeded in telling a lie to the governor, as he has never been so nominated.”
According to him, “About five years ago when the late Olu of Ikeja, Oba Amore, joined his ancestors, we invited all the princes for screening but Wasiu did not turn up, despite many entreaties.
“We then went ahead with the screening process and also consulted the Ifa oracle, which picked his elder brother, Prince Samsondeen Adeleye.
“The Body of Kingmakers was then chaired by the late former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, and we dutifully sent Samsondeen’s name to the Ikeja Local Government as the Oba-elect.
“So ever since, we have been expecting the state government to give approval to our recommendation; and we are, however, grateful to Governor Ambode who involved the Oba-elect, Prince Samsondeen Adeleye, in a public function recently,” Titi-Thomas clarified.
