Kingship tussle: family warns against bloodshed

Tajudeen Adebanjo

THE Igbanko ruling house of Onigbanko Kingdom, Lagos State,  have urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in their kingship tussle to avert bloodshed.

They urged the governor to ensure that selection of the next Onigbanko is done in line with the state Obas and Chiefs Laws.

A statement by Muritala  Molade, who claimed to be the oba-elect of Igbanko Kingdom, said the Igbanko ruling house was compelled to notify the governor ‘to avert bloodshed, crisis, life and property and forestall breakdown of law and order’.

This, he said, followed alleged moves by the  government to install a monarch without consent of the three kingmakers as enshrined in the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Laws.

Molade said the family is asking that the state, in proceeding to consider a candidate for the vacant stool without recourse to the Abigun family, was infringing on the customary rights of the Abigun family.

He said: “We pray the government stops anyone from parading himself as oba of Igbanko Kingdom because there was a breach of fair hearing to other contestants.

“We, therefore, appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to charge the chieftaincy committee to call contestants and pick the next in line to the stool. We pray the government declares illegal, null and void, steps taken pursuant to the selection of Onigbanko monarch having violated the customary hereditary rights of over 700 years.

“We demand a ban of  coronation processes till the hearing and determination of the suit.

“Mr. Governor, we pledge our readiness to work with you, the executive council and the government, to ensure there is peace in the community and the state.”