The Onikoyi royal family have protested the hurried installation of a new Oníkòyí of Ikoyi and Moba Land, citing legal and traditional violations that have thrown the chieftaincy stool into controversy.
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On Tuesday, nine out of the ten ruling branches of the Onikoyi Royal House convened at the historical palace in Idumota, raising banners and expressing their disapproval over what they described as an “illegal” and unconstitutional enthronement process.
Rotational succession expertly overlooked
The royal family asserts that the next throne-holder should have emerged from the Ojulari ruling house, per the 2006 Onikoyi Chieftaincy Declaration (Gazette No. 45).
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Yet the government, erroneously, returned to the Fafunwa lineage, bypassing the legally prescribed rotation.
“This Is Not About Me” – Prince Omogbolahan speaks out
Prince Abdul Omogbolahan Sulaimon Onikoyi, the officially endorsed Oba-elect chosen on September 9, 2023, addressed reporters, saying, “Nine of the ten branches selected me … only four people were at the so‑called installation today. That tells you everything.”
“This is not about me. It’s about respecting our tradition and the law … We will not be silenced. We will protest lawfully until the right thing is done,” he said via Punch.
He further alleged that certain government officials intervened to stall his legitimate path to the throne in favour of an illegitimate install.
Unity in the Ruling House
Akinyemi Esinlokun, family head for the Ojulari branch, echoed the sentiment, “We want to appeal to the government to do the rightful things and not impose anyone as our king or chiefs, as there is a system in Lagos for electing chiefs and Obas.”
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Their peaceful protest continues until the government acknowledges and corrects the procedural error.
Government defends its actions
In response, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, assured that due process was followed, “The ministry … confirmed that it is true that some people are protesting … but that is not unusual.”
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“There were about five contenders, and the installed monarch was selected based on the recommendation of the family.”
“There was no court injunction stopping the government from installing the monarch.”
