A private visit to the palace of a Lagos monarch, the Olu of Agboyi kingdom in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) by the delegation of the chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the council chairman, Hon. Dele Oshinowo, ended in chaos as the council chairman and the younger brother to the monarch engaged in physical combat, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

The guests were waiting. The Baales (traditional rulers) were seated. The royal abode was to play host to the chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded council elections, Mrs. Tola Oyedele-Abubakar and her running mate, Yomi Ganiyu. But an unexpected drama punctured the mood at the palace of the Olu of Agboyi, Oba Monsru Abimbola Oladega (Akinmasa 1) shortly after the arrival of the APC candidate accompanied by the chairman of the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Dele Oshinowo.

As the story goes, members of the entourage stayed at the waiting room on arrival, expecting the monarch to invite them over to his chamber upstairs as protocol demands, since it was a private visit. But moments later, the council chairman led the large entourage to see the monarch. But as they approached the staircase, he was told by the monarch’s younger brother, Prince Ibrahim Kehinde Oladega, to reduce the number of people on the entourage as the palace protocols demand for such a visit.

Oladega’s intervention led to an altercation between him and the chairman, and the situation soon degenerated into exchange of slaps and physical combat, bringing the visit to an abrupt end.

Tension was said to have risen as other members of the entourage threatened to further assault Oladega despite the monarch’s appeal for peace to reign.

Oshinowo subsequently reported the incident to the Police Area Command, Ogudu, where Oladega was invited and asked to write a statement before he was later released on bail.

A statement issued by the office of the council chairman, titled ‘setting the record straight’, described the incident as a provoked confrontation orchestrated by Prince Oladega, adding that it was not an indiscretion on his (Oshinowo’s) part.

The statement also described the visit to the palace as a formal political courtesy visit, being part of the pre-election engagements with critical stakeholders meant to introduce council candidates of the APC to traditional rulers, with Oshinowo as the head of the delegation.

The statement described the confrontation as a blatant power play by Oladega, which undermined party structure and democratic principles. It further alleged that Oladega tried to deny key members of the delegation entry to the monarch’s chamber, during which Oshinowo, who attempted to intervene, was allegedly assaulted by Oladega.

The statement reads In part: “This was not an act of bravado but an attempt to maintain decorum during an official visit.

“Kehinde Ladega has no official role, yet he continues to parade himself as a gatekeeper of the palace, harassing public officials with impunity.”

The statement explained further that the incident was not the first encounter between Oshinowo and Oladega, noting that a similar incident involving the duo had occurred during the inspection of the Agboyi Bridge, where the duo had a confrontation.

The statement also accused the palace of enabling a pattern of harassment by its failure to reprimand Ladega over his conduct.

“Ladega is a man hiding behind his brother’s throne. The public should see beyond media manipulation and personal vendetta and focus on governance outcomes.

“Mayor Oshinowo’s administration has delivered more development to Agboyi-Ketu LCDA than any previous government.”

An official statement released by the palace of the monarch however blamed Oshinowo for breaching palace protocols and for unruly behaviour during the visit.

The statement signed by the Akogun of Agboyi Kingdom, Chief E.B.O Ogunseye, described Oshinowo’s account of the incident as misleading narratives, adding that the monarch’s composure while the incident lasted was misconstrued as silence.

The palace explained that the council chairman was listed among the chairmanship candidate’s delegation to the monarch and that the demand of five member delegation to the private quarters of the monarch was breached by Oshinowo, leading to the altercation with Prince Oladega who drew the chairman’s attention to the breach in the palace traditional protocol.

The statement reads: ”The Palace of Olu Agboyi Kingdom has noted with concern the recent remarks by Prince Ibrahim Oladega and the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, regarding an incident at the palace.

“While we typically avoid public exchanges, the dissemination of inaccuracies compels us to present the facts for the sake of truth and communal harmony.

“It should be noted that the visit of Mrs. Tolani Abubakar Oyedele was intended to be a private one, with no more than five guests expected, and was spearheaded by Prince Oladega Ibrahim Kehinde, a task personally given to him by the chairmanship candidate of the APC.

“The incumbent chairman (Oshinowo) was not listed among the expected attendees, neither does anyone have the right to barge into the private quarters of the king except if invited by the palace guard.

“However, the palace would have made arrangements to receive the executive chairman as is customary.

“His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Agboyi Kingdom embodies wisdom and neutrality. His deliberate restraint during the altercation was a strategic effort to de-escalate tension and ensure due process, not indifference.

“Misrepresenting this dignified composure undermines the reverence owed the throne.

“In the absence of the Olu of Agboyi’s aides, Prince Ladega, as a senior royal family member and a worthy prince of the kingdom acted within his authority to uphold decorum when unannounced guests breached protocol, particularly by encroaching on the Olu’s Iyewu (private quarters).

“While the duty to safeguard the sanctity of the palace remains undisputed, His Majesty and the Chiefs unequivocally condemned the retaliation against the Executive Chairman (Oshinowo).

“The initial attack on the Prince was shameful and entirely unbefitting of a public office holder. We also denounced the subsequent exchange of slaps involving the Prince (Oladega), as it is a grave taboo to strike royalty within the palace grounds.”

The palace further condemned Oshinowo for acting out of order, saying: “We must state plainly that the Executive Chairman (Oshinowo) acted with unacceptable rudeness and conduct unbecoming of his position.

“Such actions undermine the dignity of both the palace and public office.”

The statement disclosed the existence of a footage recorded by the security camera installed in the palace, which captured the incident In its entirety, and called for a thorough investigation of the incident.

“The palace’s CCTV footage is unaltered and irrefutable. We welcome impartial scrutiny by investigative bodies and urge stakeholders to seek facts through official channels rather than resorting to speculative narratives.

“The claim of a “pattern of harassment” is baseless and insults the integrity of the Olu of Agboyi’s stool.

“Past issues involving some youths and not Prince Ibrahim Kehinde Oladega were resolved internally, and the palace remains committed to justice.

“Such allegations appear politically motivated to tarnish the institution’s reputation.”

The palace noted that while it recognized and respected the mutually beneficial relationship between it and the council chief, the traditional protocol should not be sacrificed on the altar of the relationship.

“The Palace of Olu Agboyi Kingdom acknowledges and appreciates the symbiotic relationship between the local government and the traditional institution.

“We have always supported progress and collaboration with the local government for the betterment of our dear LCDA.

“However, progress must not come at the expense of tradition. Mutual respect for cultural norms (Omo Yoruba ni wa) is non-negotiable.”

The statement added: “The Olu of Agboyi Kingdom prioritises peace and unity. We urge all parties to eschew misinformation and engage in constructive dialogue through appropriate avenues.

“The palace, as the custodian of heritage, will not entertain politicised distortions but remains open to reconciliation anchored in truth and respect.

“We state clearly that the video speaks on this matter, both in what is said and what is left unsaid. Respect is reciprocal.”

The footage of the incident obtained by our correspondent showed the moment the delegation arrived at the palace where members of the entourage initially waited at the reception.

Moments later, the delegation led by Oshinowo was seen approaching the staircase to the private quarters of the monarch.

Oladega, who was standing on the stair case, was seen talking to the chairman apparently about the large entourage, and he was meted with slaps.

In return, Oladega slapped the council chairman and the situation degenerated into physical combat and chaos. (The Nation)