Society Gists

The Abisogun Family has described a report in a section of the media that the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Mr. Hakeem Ajasa has been picked as the next Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State as fake news.

According to the family, the selection of Ajasa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) as the next Oniru of Iruland, is kangaroo and it is not known to the entire family.

The family said in a public notice titled; “Fake News By A Section of Abisogun Ruling House” that the “public and all interested parties are put on notice of the kangaroo selection of a person unknown to the entire Oniru Family to rule over their land and fill the currently vacant Oniru Chieftaincy stool.”

The family, who described themselves as Cheated Members of Abisogun Ruling House, alleged in the notice that was released to the media on Friday that being a policeman, they had information from reliable sources that Akeem Ajasa had harassed, intimidated and threatened other members of his ruling house.

“We also have information that under the table exchange of funds have taken place and the result of all these illegalities is the kangaroo selection.

“It does not accord with reasoning that only 6 to 8 men of an entire ruling house will make a decision that will affect the whole of the Oniru Royal Family and select a candidate for the vacant stool.

“Owing to the above, other cheated members of the Abisogun Ruling House have decided to do the needful to preserve the good name of Oniru Royal Family by distancing themselves from this propaganda and public show of disgrace by an individual (working together with his cronies) unknown to the Family,” they said in the notice.

The family insisted that from time immemorial, no member of any royal family could impose himself on the community.

The Oniru family, which they said had been in existence for over 500 years, has lived together in peace and harmony.

It was added in the notice that it was therefore quite unfortunate that “one unknown individual using his public influence and position as a police officer, to harass and intimidate the other members of the Family, has now disunited the Family, all in the bid to become the next Oba.

“This completely goes against the customary heritage and values of the Oniru Family. The uncustomary selection of this individual has disrupted the unity that the past Obas of Iruland worked tirelessly in achieving.”

They then advised Hakeem Ajasa, who they alleged was working in connivance with the Olori-Ebi of the Abisogun Ruling House, “his supporters and cronies” against parading himself as the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

“Moreso, if Akeem Ajasa has indeed been selected as a candidate for the vacant stool, he ought to have resigned his position as a police officer and properly put himself forward,” they said.

The three ruling houses in Oniru were given as Abisogun, Akiogun and Ogunyemi.

The three ruling houses have been stamped in accordance with the Lagos State Declaration made under the Customary Law Regulation Selection to the Oniru Chieftaincy of Lagos of September 14, 1993 and approved by the then Governor of the state, the late Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola.

The Declaration approved rotation and the procedure to be followed in the nomination of candidates by the local government.

It was however, revealed that plans were in top gear to ensure that a new Oniru of Iruland is elected in accordance with the tradition of the land.