Ikeja Royal Dispute Worsens, Kingmakers Disown ‘Self-acclaimed Oba-elect’

The Body of Kingmakers in Ikeja community of Lagos, at the weekend, distanced itself from the claim of one of the princes, that he had been nominated as the new Olu of Ikeja.

In an interview with THISDAY, the Secretary to the Body of Kingmakers in Ikejaland, Chief Olufemi Titi-Thomas, said the kingmakers took exception to a claim by one of the princes, Wasiu Adeleye, who wrote a letter to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, asking the governor to crown him.

In a letter to Ambode on February 4, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, Wasiu Adeleye had stated, “This is to inform Your Excellency that I am a bonafide choice of the Ifa oracle, kingmakers and the entire family (and) all these are backed by documentary evidences which we are ready to produce when the time comes.”

But in his reaction, TitiThomas, the scribe to the kingmakers, said, “Wasiu Adeleye has only succeeded in telling a lie to the governor, as he has never been so nominated.”

Titi-Thomas said, “About five years ago when the late Olu of Ikeja, Oba Amore, joined his ancestors, we invited all the princes for screening but Wasiu did not turn up, despite many entreaties.

“We then went ahead with the screening process and also consulted the Ifa oracle, which picked his elder brother, Prince Samsondeen Adeleye.