Scores of Ajah indigenes in Lagos took to the streets on Monday, staging a protest in Ikeja to urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to resolve the lingering rulership tussle in their community.
The protesters were led to the governor’s office in Ikeja by the general secretary of the Ajah Community, Kazeem Odunlami.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Please allow the court to determine who is entitled to become the Oba of Ajah’ and ‘All the families of Ajah say no to superimposition of Olumegbon Family as the ruler of Ajah Community’.
They urged the governor to intervene to prevent a communal conflict.
According to Mr Odunlami, the chieftaincy title of Olumegbon of Lagos is not associated with the rulership of the Ajah community, and the only recognised chieftaincy in Ajah since colonial days is the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah.
He insisted that Olumegbon has no historical or judicial background to become the Oba of Ajah, and the community will not accept the alleged imposition.
“The Baale of Ajah has been the traditional leader for over 300 years, a custom deeply rooted in the community’s culture and history,” Mr Odunlami stated.
He added that the residents urgently required the governor’s attention to halt the alleged imposition, which he said had been ongoing since 2003.
The protesters had staged similar demonstrations at the Lagos House of Assembly on October 28 and December 8 against the imposition of Olumegbon as the new Ajah ruler.
According to Mr Odunlami, the Supreme Court judgment cited by Olumegbon, with suit number SC-148-1997, is not valid as the 52 families of Ajah were not parties to the suit.
