BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE: Odo Nla Royal Family Petitions IGP, Lagos Governor Over Brewing Communal Crisis
The Omo’Ba Meta Royal Family of Odonla, Ikorodu, Lagos State, has petitioned the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo Olu and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu over what it described as a growing threat to peace and stability within the community.
In separate petitions, the royal family alleged attempts by certain individuals to create division within the family through the purported duplication of the revered traditional title of Olotu Omo’Ba Meta.
The petition, signed by Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe (FCA), the substantive Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and Head of the Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, called on security authorities to urgently investigate actions allegedly capable of causing a breach of peace within Odonla Kingdom and the wider Ikorodu Division.
The petition, titled “Petition Against the Illegal Duplication of the Title of Olotu Omoba meta and the head Oba Odeyemi Royal family of Odonla Kingdom Ikorodu, Lagos State Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace, and Attempts to Destabilise the Omo’Ba Meta Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, Ikorodu, Lagos State,” alleged that recent developments within the royal family could trigger unrest if not urgently addressed.
According to the petitioners, following the passing of the immediate past Olotu Omo’Ba Meta, the late Otunba Asiwaju David Afolabi Ekiyoyo (AIWN,DCOI), members of the royal family unanimously selected Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe as the new Olotu Omo’Ba Meta in accordance with established customs and traditions.
The family stated that formal notifications regarding his emergence were duly submitted to the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and acknowledged accordingly.
However, the petitioners alleged that some individuals later convened a parallel gathering at the residence of Otunba Olanrewaju Afuwape where another individual was allegedly presented as Olotu Omo’Ba Meta.
The family described the action as unlawful, provocative, and capable of destabilising the peace and unity of Odonla Kingdom and the wider Ikorodu Division.
“We are deeply disturbed that despite prior notification to the palace regarding the emergence of Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe as the duly recognised Olotu Omo’Ba Meta, certain individuals allegedly proceeded with actions capable of creating confusion and instability within the royal family,” the petition read in part.
The petitioners further alleged that repeated efforts to formally present the new Olotu to the Ayangburen Palace were unsuccessful, despite official communications already acknowledged by palace authorities.
According to the royal family, the dispute is allegedly linked to interests surrounding family lands, properties, royalties, and community influence within Odonla.
The petitioners therefore appealed to the Nigeria Police Force and relevant government authorities to urgently intervene to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to the Nigeria Police Force to urgently intervene in this matter to prevent further escalation capable of resulting in violence, communal unrest, or breakdown of public peace,” the petition stated.
Petition to Lagos Government
In a separate petition addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, the royal family called for the removal of Otunba Olanrewaju Afuwape as the gazetted Otunba of Odonla Kingdom.
The Lagos State Governor's petition, proposed to be signed by elders, executives, traditional representatives, and stakeholders of the Oba Odeyemi Royal Family Odonla, accused Afuwape of actions allegedly capable of causing division and instability within the community.
The family alleged that Afuwape played a major role in the purported installation and public presentation of a parallel Olotu Omo’Ba Meta, despite the existence of what they described as the duly selected and traditionally recognised office holder.
According to the petitioners, the parallel arrangement allegedly took place at Afuwape’s residence in Odonla and further moved to Ayangburen palace for completion.
Thereby creating tension and confusion within the royal family and the community.
The petition further claimed that there exists a subsisting court order restraining Afuwape from personally interfering in matters relating to the Odonla royal family and the community without the consent of his co- High Chiefs ( Oloye Ogbodo, Oloye Raselu and Oloye Iponyewa).
Which the court ruling said are to act in pari-passu
It further alleged that despite previous interventions and reconciliation efforts, he had continued to engage in activities capable of undermining peace within the kingdom.
The family stated that the overwhelming majority of stakeholders within the Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family had lost confidence in Afuwape’s leadership and conduct.
Consequently, they requested:
The removal of Otunba Olanrewaju Afuwape as the gazetted Otunba of Odonla Kingdom;
The withdrawal of all official recognition and privileges attached to the position; and
Government recognition of Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe (FCA), Olotu Omo’Ba Meta of Odonla Kingdom, as the new Otunba of Odonla Kingdom.
Royal Family Dissociates Itself From Alleged Parallel Installation
Meanwhile, the Fidipotemole Ruling House of Idewon, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, alongside the Omo’Ba Meta Royal Family of Odonla, formally dissociated itself from the actions of Mr. Yahaya Olufemi Olukoga over his alleged involvement in the parallel installation exercise.
In a statement jointly signed by HRH Oba T.I.K.I. Omotayo, the Onimope of Imope Kingdom and Oloriebi of Fidipotemole Ruling House, alongside Omooba Aderibigbe Tunde, General Secretary of the Fidipotemole Ruling House Idewon Ijebu Ode - Ogun State, the Royal family condemned what it described as an unlawful impersonation of the office of Olotu Omo’Ba Meta.
The statement maintained that Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe (FCA) emerged through due traditional process, extensive consultations, and customary rites witnessed by elders, stakeholders, and representatives of the various branches of the royal family.
The family further insisted that the office of Olotu Omo’Ba Meta historically rotates among recognised branches of the family and that the emergence of Prince Adedipe followed the accepted traditional arrangement.
The statement described the alleged parallel installation as “provocative, divisive, and capable of causing serious unrest within Odonla Kingdom and the larger Ikorodu community.”
The family subsequently issued a cease-and-desist warning to Mr. Yahaya Olufemi Olukoga, urging him to stop parading himself as Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and to refrain from participating in any parallel leadership structure within the royal family.
It also warned that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary, traditional, and legal actions, including possible removal from his current sub-lineage position and legal proceedings aimed at protecting the integrity and peace of the royal institution.
In the same light, Mr. Yahaya Oluwafemi Olukoga was removed by the Olukoga Royal Family as the Olotu representing them.
In a statement titled “Olukoga Royal Family Notice of Removal and Interim Appointment,” signed by the family acting Secretary Dr. Otunba Fatai Olajide Olukoga, and made available to the press, the family stated that the recent actions of Mr. Yahaya Femi Olukoga had allegedly brought disrepute to the family.
“The entire Olukoga Royal Family of the Ipoyenwa Branch of the Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, Ikorodu, Lagos State, hereby announces the removal of the present Olotu Olukoga, Mr. Yahaya Oluwafemi Olukoga, following acts considered detrimental to the peace, unity, integrity, and reputation of the Olukoga Family, the Ipoyenwa Branch, and the Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom.”
The statement explained that the decision was reached after extensive consultations and deliberations among elders, traditional representatives, family executives, and principal stakeholders of the Olukoga Family.
Pending further approval by the appropriate family and traditional authorities, Prince David Adebisi Olanrewaju Olukoga was appointed to serve in an interim capacity for the affairs and representation of the Olukoga Family, while Dr. Otunba Fatai Olajide Olukoga would serve as Acting Secretary.
Additional Concerns Over Odonla Kingship Crisis
The royal family further alleged that Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi recruited certain individuals of questionable characters from the three branches of the Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family, alongside some of their cronies within the circle of Otunba Olanrewaju Afuwape leadership, for the purpose of presenting them before the tribunal as purported executives who supported his upgrading to the status of Oba of Odonla Kingdom.
According to the family, such individuals are unofficial representatives who do not legitimately speak for the kingdom or its recognised traditional structures.
The family expressed concern that these actions are capable of creating unrest within Odonla and the wider Ikorodu Division.
The family maintained that the process surrounding the selection of the Odonla monarch had long been concluded internally, with relevant stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community representatives fully aware of the royal family’s preferred Oba-elect since 2021.
According to the petitioners, all parties involved in the earlier consultations, including Oba Shotobi himself, were aware of the outcome of the royal family’s selection process.
The royal family therefore insisted that it is already widely known within Odonla, Ikorodu Division, and beyond that the Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family has chosen Prince Olusoga Elias Adeyemi Olowolekomoh as its preferred Oba-elect.
Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and head of Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal family, Prince Oluseye Mobolade Adedipe (FCA), stated that these developments form part of the broader issues presently threatening peace, unity, and stability within Odonla Kingdom.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and communal harmony, the Royal family called on government authorities, traditional institutions, security agencies, and stakeholders to intervene before the situation escalates into a wider communal crisis.
“We remain committed to peace, justice, unity, and the preservation of the longstanding traditions of Odonla Kingdom,” the statement concluded.
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