The aboriginal owners of Lagasa Community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, have called on the Lagos State Governor to urgently intervene over the alleged plan to impose a person they describe as a stranger as the Oba of Lagasa.
The matter has generated serious tension and anger among residents and those who identify themselves as the original indigenes of the community, prompting calls for urgent government intervention to calm the situation and prevent a possible communal crisis.
The Oyinubi Ogunga Baruwa Odofin Chieftaincy Family maintains that the Odofin family are the customary indigenes and ancestral landowners of Lagasa, with their history in the community dating back several centuries.
The family further asserts that the Odofin institution is historically recognised across Ibeju and reflected in relevant Lagos State records, gazettes and archives
Speaking during a peaceful demonstration at the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olalekan Odofin said:
“Our forefathers founded Lagasa several centuries ago, and the Odofin family has remained an established traditional institution in Ibeju-Lekki to this day without dispute whatsoever. The Odofin family legacy and customary title and bearer of the foremost title known as Odofin Ibeju well documented before the paramount Oba of Ibejuland, the Onibeju.
Lagasa Community has always been the ancestral territory of the Odofin family, and this is reflected in Lagos State records and gazettes.
“We were therefore shocked to learn of plans to install a stranger as Oba of Lagasa someone from a family we regard as customary tenants whom our forefathers accommodated in the community. We had no prior knowledge of this process and only became aware of it at the last minute.
“We have serious concerns about the roles allegedly being played by certain individuals and officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, and some traditional chiefs in Ibeju-Lekki, in relation to the proposed installation of Adeleke Nosir Yisa Ogundare Daodu as Oba of Lagasa.
“We are therefore using this medium to appeal directly to Mr. Governor to intervene and ensure that all parties are heard. We ask the government to independently investigate the history, customary ownership and traditional structure of Lagasa Community before any irreversible decision is taken. All we seek is a fair hearing.”
The family further alleged that the paramount ruler of Ibeju-Lekki, the Oni Ibeju, had previously acknowledged the historical connection of the Odofin family to Lagasa. They therefore expressed surprise at reports that the traditional ruler had recently endorsed Adeleke Nosir Yisa Ogundare Daodu for the stool without, according to them, prior consultation with the Odofin family.
The concerned indigenes are appealing to the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene, hear all sides and establish the historical and customary facts surrounding the dispute.
They maintained that timely intervention by the government would help restore confidence, calm rising tensions and prevent the disagreement from escalating into a communal conflict that could threaten lives, property and the peace of Lagasa Community.
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