The Ikeja royal families in a bid to end the nine-year-old dispute over the kingdom’s vacant throne have picked a real estate expert, Tajudeen Muritala, as the new monarch for the community and the traditional ruler that would put the empty palace into proper use.
Gatekeepers News reports that the families said that they decided to pick Tajudeen as their preferred candidate to ascend the kingdom’s traditional throne due to his lineage as a royal son from the Osooja royal family and to end the interregnum that had affected the community from having a leader.
The families noted that aside from unveiling the new monarch hinted that they have also written to the Lagos State Governor, South-West Nigeria, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to inform him of their conclusions and for an official declaration of their preferred candidate for the throne.
Members of the royal families unveiled Tajudeen after signing documents to indicate that Tajudeen was their preferred candidate and that he should be installed as the new monarch for the kingdom.
The decision was reached during a meeting that was also attended by elders of the community, principal members, youths, and community members that also threw their weight behind the decision reached by the family.
It was learnt that plans have also been concluded to commence the traditional rites for the real estate expert before assuming the Ikeja kingdom throne.
The new monarch was unveiled during a press briefing in Ikeja and was attended by members of the three royal families, Iyade, Amore, and Oshoja as well as representatives from the families.
Some representatives of the families include one of the heads of the family, Chief Olushola Coker, Oluwo of Ikejaland, Chief Mureni Illo, Prince Saheed Afariogun, Prince Jamiu Folami, Prince Jamiu Obidairo, and the Iyaloja of Ikeja, Princess Mutiat Folami.
Speaking to newsmen during a press briefing in Ikeja, Coker stressed that Tajudeen’s selection was a unanimous decision of the royal families in Ikeja kingdom and that the name was picked while scrutinisingscrutinizing all candidates shortlisted to assume the throne with the criteria of Obaship within the royal families.
He noted that the same agreement was reached earlier and formed the content of their letter earlier sent in 2016 to the former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for approval which was not done before leaving office.
According to him, about 40 heads of different sub-families from the royal families signed the agreement documents and asked the government to approve Tajudeen as their preferred candidate from the Oshoja royal family.
The head of the family and other members appealed to the government to give consent to their chosen candidate and to quickly give him the staff of office.
Addressing newsmen after his unveiling, Tajudeen, the Olu of Ikeja-designate, described his selection as a welcome development and that it is what had been destined by God for him, saying I accept it and I am ready to serve the people of Ikeja effectively.
He added that his selection was a call to serve the people and to ensure that the palace worked for the progress of every individual irrespective of their status in the kingdom.
According to him, efforts would be intensified to ensure that the youths in the kingdom become gainfully employed.
The newly elected candidate for the throne, meanwhile, said that his doors were open for collaboration on the development of the community, adding that when installed, he would not administer the kingdom in isolation.
Furthermore, the king-designate noted that his reign would stop at nothing in ensuring that Ikeja kingdom remains safe and secure for all irrespective of tribe, religion, and political affiliations.
He noted that while security cannot be left alone for the government, he would immediately initiate engagement with relevant security agencies on the best approach to adopt in nipping the challenges in the bud.
“Part of my priority areas after ascending the throne will be security. Talking about security, I understand Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing his best to keep all Lagosians safe, but we must not leave the security of lives and property at his doorstep alone.
“As the representative of my people, I will initiate relevant conversations and exploit Ikeja status in Lagos to further protect the people and drive out those behind subtle attacks and robbery in the area.
“We know we have issues to deal with in Ikeja in terms of miscreants who have turned the area into a hotspot in robbing law-abiding residents off their belongings, and we will do all within our power to protect our people by working with relevant security agencies in protecting resident in the kingdom.
“We all know Ikeja is one of the revered economic hubs in the state, housing several businesses and even the government secretariat, governor’s seat, and House of Assembly. It is the centre center of attraction and I can assure the residents and business owners that the lost glory in terms of security will be restored while we will stop at nothing to make sure that Ikeja, and Lagos, in general, remain safe and secure,” he said.
