…How Abisogun Elders Pressurized Ajasa To Accept Fate, Congratulate Gbolahan Lawal
…New Monarch Receives Staff Of Office From Sanwo-Olu
By Our Reporter
Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I and frontline contender to the Oniru stool, Hakeem Ajasa were among dignitaries that graced the presentation of staff to the new Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal on Sunday.
Prior to the announcement of Lawal as the next in line to the Oniru stool, Oba Akiolu had backed Hakeem Ajasa as successor the late Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru was present at the event.
Ajasa, who was also present at the ceremony, Thepledge learnt, was pressurized by the elders to see the whole situation as a twist of fate, urging him to reach out to Lawal for the sake of peace.
Consequently, he called Oba Lawal on Saturday evening to congratulate him.
He pledged his support and promised to join hands with him to further develop Iruland and environs.
To affirm his solidarity, Ajasa was also present at the coronation on Sunday, a sign, elders say was a testament to the fact that he was in full support of the coronation.
At the low key ceremony, held at the Palace of the Oniru, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented staff of office to Lawal as the 15th Oniru of Iruland.
The ascension of the throne by Lawal has finally put to bed, the long months of tussle for the next Oniru, after frontline candidate for the crown; Hakeem Ajasa was unceremoniously ousted from the race by the powers-that-be.
Ajasa was highly favoured to succeed the late Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru who died September last year, although the latter’s son, Prince Adesegun Oniru from the Akiogun Ruling House, also made daring moves to convince the king makers that he was the best man for the job.
But the chances of the former Commissioner for Waterfront in Lagos was dimmed after the kingmakers affirmed that it was the turn of the Abisogun family to produce a successor, paving way for Hakeem Ajasa, a former Chief Security Officer to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and also Aide-De-Camp to former Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
But Lawal, who is also from the Abisogun Ruling House and cousin to Hakeem Ajasa emerged late last week as the choice candidate to ascend the revered throne.
On Sunday, the presentation of staff of Office for Oba Gbolahan Lawal, however, was devoid of the normal pomp and pageantry associated with such occasion.
This development, Thepledge learnt was owing to the way and manner Lawal emerged as the dark horse to be crowned king.
One of the high chiefs In Oniru told Thepledge that the elders, most especially from Isale Eko (Lagos Island) were not comfortable with the way things turned out.
He, however, said they have decided to play along for the sake of peace.
“You can see that normally this place will be filled up, but you know some of the elders are not too happy with the way it turned out. That can be ascribed to the low turnout and the mood that permeated the ceremony”.
He however said they came because of tradition and they are wishing the new Oniru a peaceful and successful reign.
