NEWS
Lagasa Indigenes Protest Alleged Imposition of ‘Stranger’ as Oba, Seek Governor’s Intervention
Indigenous people of Lagasa Community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene in an escalating traditional leadership dispute over the alleged plan to install a person they describe as a “stranger” as the Oba of Lagasa.
The dispute has reportedly generated tension and anger within the community, with members of the Oyinubi Ogunga Baruwa Odofin Chieftaincy Family and other persons identifying themselves as original indigenes calling for the state government to step in before the situation degenerates into a wider communal crisis.
The concerned indigenes made their position known during a peaceful demonstration at the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where they called for a transparent review of the process leading to the proposed installation.
At the centre of the dispute is the claim by the Oyinubi Ogunga Baruwa Odofin Chieftaincy Family that the Odofin family represents the customary indigenes and ancestral landowners of Lagasa, with a history in the community spanning several centuries.
The family also maintains that the Odofin traditional institution has historically been recognised across Ibeju and that its connection to Lagasa is reflected in relevant records and gazettes of the Lagos State Government.
Speaking during the demonstration, Chief Olalekan Odofin said the family was deeply concerned by the reported move to install Adeleke Nosir Yisa Ogundare Daodu as the Oba of Lagasa.
“Our forefathers founded Lagasa several centuries ago, and the Odofin family has remained an established traditional institution in Ibeju-Lekki to this day.
“Lagasa Community has always been the ancestral territory of the Odofin family, and this is reflected in Lagos State records and gazettes.
“We were therefore shocked to learn of plans to install as Oba of Lagasa someone from a family we regard as customary tenants whom our forefathers accommodated in the community.
“We had no prior knowledge of this process and only became aware of it at the last minute.
“We have serious concerns about the roles allegedly being played by certain individuals and officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, and some traditional chiefs in Ibeju-Lekki, in relation to the proposed installation of Adeleke Nosir Yisa Ogundare Daodu as Oba of Lagasa.
“We are therefore using this medium to appeal directly to Mr. Governor to intervene and ensure that all parties are heard. We ask the government to independently investigate the history, customary ownership and traditional structure of Lagasa Community before any irreversible decision is taken.
“All we seek is a fair hearing.”
The controversy has reportedly placed the historical ownership and traditional succession structure of Lagasa at the heart of the disagreement, with the Odofin family insisting that any process to select or install a traditional ruler must take into account the community’s established history and customary institutions.
The family further alleged that the Oni Ibeju, the paramount ruler of Ibeju-Lekki, had previously acknowledged the historical connection between the Odofin family and Lagasa.
Against this background, the family said it was surprised by reports that the traditional ruler had recently endorsed Adeleke Nosir Yisa Ogundare Daodu for the Lagasa stool without, according to them, prior consultation with the Odofin family.
The allegations have heightened concerns among the protesters, who are seeking government intervention to establish the historical and customary facts surrounding the community before any final decision is taken on the traditional stool.
The concerned indigenes stressed that their appeal was not aimed at creating conflict but at ensuring that the traditional succession process was conducted fairly and in accordance with the history and customs of Lagasa.
They urged the Lagos State Government to invite all parties involved in the dispute, examine relevant historical documents and government records, and determine the legitimate customary structure governing the selection of the Oba of Lagasa.
According to them, a transparent intervention would not only address their grievances but also help prevent the growing disagreement from escalating into a confrontation within the community.
They therefore appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to urgently wade into the matter, hear the various sides and ensure that no irreversible action is taken until the claims surrounding the traditional stool have been properly investigated.
The indigenes maintained that timely intervention by the state government would help restore confidence among residents, ease the tension surrounding the chieftaincy dispute and protect the peace and security of Lagasa Community.
They warned that failure to address the disagreement promptly could create an environment capable of threatening lives, property and the longstanding peaceful coexistence
of residents in the Ibeju-Lekki community.