By AKINWUNMI KING, Lagos

After about eight years of delay in filling the vacant stool of Olu of Ikeja, the Oshoja Royal Family of Ikeja Community in Ikeja Local Government Area, has unanimously agreed on the choice of Prince Temitope Adebowale Ibikunle to fill the vacant position.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by the Oshoja Royal Family held on Wednesday at Presken Hotel in Ikeja.

Temitope was the male youth representative at the End SARS panel set up by the Lagos State Government, which recently submitted its report to the government.

Speaking on behalf of the Idowu Aso Branch of the Oshoja Royal Family, Alhaja Taibatu Onipele Adeleye, explained that the entire unanimously, agreed on the choice of Prince Temitope Adebowale Ibikunle for the peace and progress of the community, adding that a letter to that effect was sent to the government.

There have been some developments since the demise of the last occupant of the stool, Oba Rafiu Matemi in 2014, as the Oshoja Royal Family was unable to nominate a replacement due to continued rivalry and disagreement between the duo of Prince Nurudeen Adeleye and Prince Wasiu Adeleye, who were initially nominated.

Alhaja Adeleye, who is the head of the Oshoja Family, however, explained that when the two princes initially nominated couldn’t agree among themselves for one to become the king, the family, who couldn’t afford to waste more time, met and decided to choose another candidate for the stool.

She explained further that an impostor named Tajudeen Muritala, who is not in any way associated or related to the Osoja Royal Family, has already been parading himself as the Olu of Ikeja Land.

“It has come to our knowledge that an impostor named Tajudeen Muritala has been parading Himself as the Olu of Ikeja Land. Again, we will like to reiterate that the impostor is not known to this Family nor is he related to the Osoja Royal Family of Ikeja in any way.

“We advise and appeal to the entire Ikeja Community not to have any dealings with him in the name of our family. Hence, he should be disregarded and arrested.

“It is with mixed feelings and a very high sense of apology, particularly to the highly revered People of Ikeja Land based on the long-overdue presentation of the sole Omo Oye of Osoja to assume the vacant stool, Olu of Ikeja since 2014 after the demise of late Oba Rafiu Matemi Amore. Once again, we are sincerely apologetic.

“However, it is no longer news that so many issues have surrounded the stool over the years and has necessitated this press briefing to put to rest the much misinformation in the public domain.

“The family wishes to also notify the Ikeja Community and the general public that due to long rivalry between their sons, Prince Nurudeen Adeleye and Prince Wasiu Adeleye, who were earlier nominated by the family for the Government to decide the more suitable candidate, have been asked to step aside.

“This decision was reached after years of waiting and a series of appeal meetings to resolve the differences between these nominees for one of them to assume the role of Olu of Ikeja Land.

“Consequently, the Family has unanimously withdrawn Prince Nurudeen Adeleye and Prince Wasiu Adeleye in a formal written communication to the Lagos State Government.

“The Family wishes to make public our unanimous decision on the new Omo Oye as contained in a letter forwarded to the Government dated January 24th, 2022. The Osoja ruling house unanimously presents a sole candidate for the Vacant stool of Olu of Ikeja, Prince Temitope Adebowale Ibikunle (Idowu Aso branch of Osoja).

“We have resolved to this decision as a family for the peace and progress of the community hence he has been presented as the only and final choice and right to the Olu of Ikeja Stool,” she added.

The family, however, called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to treat with the utmost urgency the family’s decision to avoid further delay. (Daily Independent)

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