Obaship tussles in Yoruba lands has always been enmeshed in controversies and manipulation which the vacant stool of Oba Onibeju is not an exception.

There are 3 ruling house in ibeju Lekki kingdom namely Abejoye,Oniwonlu and Aladeseso.Oba Musa Agabiaka the 18th Onibeju of ibeju Lekki was from Abejoye Ruling house. He ruled from 1969- 2007.The last Onibeju, Oba rafiu Salami from Aladeseso ruled from 2007- 2020.The next ruling house to produce the next Onibeju is Oniwonlu ruling house.

The major controversy now is a particular section of Oniwonlu ruling house wants to continue producing an Oba anytime its the turn of Oniwonlu ruling house to produce an Oba.

The 8th Onibeju and the 1st from Oniwonlu ruling house was Oba Oyemade Ogidigan.He ruled in 1720.He founded Arararomi Tope village in Elerangbe axis of ibeju. He was followed by Oba Lumoye his younger brother the 9th Onibeju of ibeju.

Subsequently, Oyemade son ,Badeusa who was left to head Araromi - Tope village when his father Oyemade was called to become king. He became the 11th Onibeju followed by Oba Ogunfayo(13th Onibeju and brother to Oba Badeusa), Oba Adesalu Ayinuara (15th Onibeju ), and lastly Oba Gbadamosi Anisere (17th Onibeju son of Oba Ogunfayo ).

The Head of Oniwonlu ruling house family produced 6 aspirants for this vacant stool. The intention is to retain the Obaship control anytime its the turn of Oniwonlu ruling house to produce an oba despite producing the 15th Oba Onibeju (Oba Adesalu Ayinuara).

During the last stage of producing the next oba they only took 3 names to the Oracle neglecting the rest aspirants. The initial plan was for each aspirants to provide a representative each that will follow them to consult the Oracle for transparency which was reneged.

They later presented Prince Adewale oniwonlu (Ist born of the head of Oniwonlu ruling house ), Prince Muyiwa oniwonlu (Son of the elder brother of the head of oniwonlu ruling house )and Prince lateef Ajumobi Oniwonlu (Son of the younger brother of the head of oniwonlu ruling house ) to the kingmakers.

They couldn't call for a meeting of the family to give feedback to the aspirants because of the manipulations.Due to the fact they manipulated the Oracle consultation, the Kingmakers rejected the 3 names presented to them because they are all from the same family and didn't follow due process of selecting an Onibeju.

The head of the kingmakers, Chief Aro of iberekodo who also has a candidate he is supporting who is the grandson of the late Ogbeni Odi of ibeju Lekki. The late Ogbeni odi was the father of the mother of the candidate (Rasak waliu Oguntolu ). The late Ogbeni odi was like a mentor to Chief Aro and he was more inclined to support Rasak waliu Oguntolu ambition.

Pertinent to note that the fore father's of Rasak Oguntolu was a friend to late Oba Adesalu Ayinuara who made him a chief. He was given the title Iwajoba of ibeju and given land in Arapagi to reside.He was never a son or related to Oyemade Ogidigan.

Chief Aro presented Rasak oguntolu to his other kingmakers after money had exchanged hands and conducted a kangaroo selection for him.

Subsequently, the Committee too rejected the choice of Rasak Oguntolu on the basis that his family is not related to Oniwonlu ruling house.

Obaship in Lagos state has been turned to politics where unqualified aspirants who are mostly illiterate and depend on sales of lands are desperate and ready to bribe anybody to get to the throne.

They have no clear objectives on what they are bringing on board. when they ascend the throne. Their major boost is that they get financial support from the real estate companies they are having business deals with.

Their major aim of aspiration is to sell lands ,acquire wealth and marry more wives.

Currently, there is no way forward on the next Onibeju stool until the State Government intervene. Ibeju Lekki is the new face of Lagos and deserves an educated and articulate leader who will impact positively in the lives of the indigenes and manage the resources and maintain the heritage and culture of ibeju Lekki efficiently.

Make dem give me na.

I am available.