Isheri Olofin is entitled to a worthy leader for the royal stool – Prince Idris Balogun aka Oluomo Kafata
…Says Ibrahim Olasunkunmi Lawal-Bello is erecting a palace on Balogun family land.
By Ifeanyi
The kingship tussle of Isheri Olofin in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State has taken another turn since the emergence and recognition of Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lagos.
Some community members faulted the government’s recognition, stating that Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa was initially appointed by the Kingmakers after a consensus by the ruling houses. Also, going through the selection process, they suddenly received a rude shock when Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello was recognized as Oba elect by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftain Affairs, contrary to the previous candidate Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa as elected by the Kingmakers for continuous progress and as chosen by the Oracle in affirmation that his reign would bring more prosperity to the kingdom.
However, Prince Idris Balogun, fondly called Oluomo, expresses concern over the recognition of Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello as Oba elect, while Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa and Prince Lukman were selected by the kingmakers and chiefs for the royal stool and was subject to final confirmation by the traditional Oracle.
Prince Idris Balogun said that the emergence of Prince Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello, who claimed he originated from Olanwa House, is not from Isheri Olofin but rather from a neighboring kingdom, which is contradictory to the customs and beliefs of the people of the Isheri kingdom.
He also stated that:
“Oluomo of Isheri Olofin kingdom Prince Idris Balogun said kingship in Isheri-Olofin, is by merit, as agreed by the ruling houses’ resolve. Kingship is usually appointed to a good candidate who has compassion and leadership traits is accepted by the community.
“It will be recalled that the Oba of Isheri Olofin, late Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun, passed on a few years ago, which requires the community to appoint a replacement for the royal stool under the leadership of a regent before the installation of a new king to serve in continuity after the demise of the previous king.”.
“Hence, a regent was appointed to supervise the activities of the palace pending the selection of the candidate that will succeed the throne.”
” Meanwhile, some stakeholders of the kingdom cautioned the kingmakers to be intuitive in the selection of a king, also warned about choosing a questionable character as such persons cannot be appointed to ascend the throne.”
“Although we were forewarned that someone not worthy will be forced on the king makers to ensure his kingship, we didn’t take heed and became utterly surprised when Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello emerged.”
“We can’t allow this happen for it is absurd to commit the custodian of the people to someone with a questionable character, dubious and arrogant; our pride is to see the achievement of our late Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun continue; to enable Isheri Olofin people enjoy the good work that has been placed on the ground.”
“After the selection of Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa, he was presented a certificate; we were surprised that the kingmakers bowed to pressure and paraded Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello as the Oba elect.
However, the Oluomo of Isheri Olofin kingdom, Hon. Prince Idris Balogun, urges the people of Isheri Olofin kingdom to be calm as he is optimistic the truth will prevail.
He further said:
“We were confident that Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa will deliver and maintain the good deed of our father. We have duly consulted far and wide, as we found out he is the man that is fit to lead our people and sustain the stride of our late father, he said.
“Traditional rites were performed on Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa, which was respectively to usher the new Oba elect into the stool of his father; the state government was supposed to hand over the status of authority to Prince Akeem Akanji Ogundeyi Ayesanmi Olanwa.”
” Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello created issues to enable him sit on the Royal Stool of Isheri Olofin Kingdom. He came to our community, causing problems and also trying to tarnish my image and destroy my reputation in the community. I decided to be silent because I cannot be seen being confrontational.”
” He undermines my father, late Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun, and all the effort of my father in the community including the impact my father orchestrated which has contributed to the development of the kingdom.”
” Additionally, he condemns the effort of my father, calling the late monarch unprintable names. Also, he wants to rob me in the mud, but I cautioned myself. He is not a member of our community; we are suspecting his ancestry to originate from the Aroworatira family in Idimu. The late imam of the Idimu family from our investigation.”
” Furthermore, this Ibrahim has questionable character; anyone with questionable character cannot ascend the throne. The community is aware that Ibrahim Olasunkunmi Lawal Bello has a questionable character but has failed to acknowledge it. The truth will be exposed soon.”
” Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello has been attacking me yet telling people the opposite. He made grievous allegations against me, accused me of sending an assassin after him, something I don’t even know about. He is just dragging me into unfounded issues and i have been silent because I want peace in our community.”
” Prince Hakeem Ogundeyi is best suited for the stool given his wealth of experience. But the challenges he’s faced is the government’s approval of Ibrahim despite what the oracle has revealed. Ibrahim is creating problems by assuming kingship irrespective of what needs to be done before acceptance. He is not qualified to become the Oba of the Isheri Olofin kingdom.
“Basically, he has questionable characters. All the members of the ruling family he claimed he belonged to all denied him. The family head of Olawan Alhaji (Pà) Adebiyi stated that he is not their choice of candidate. When they consulted the Oracle, it was not in favor of him. The Oracle picked Lukman Adebiyi and Akeem Ogundeyi. After consulting the oracle, it revealed that the reign would be unproductive and there will be issues; Prince Ogundeji would be productive while chaos and uncertainty will characterize Lawal Bello’s reign.
The community will not be settled and will be destabilized under his reign; that is why, the sole reason we are not supporting him to reign as king.”
” I, Prince Idris Balogun, will not sit with folded hands and watch my father’s years of labor and dedication come to an end. He is not related in any way to our ancestry neither are we related to his.
Balogun has vast lands in Isheri Olofin; there is no portion of land that belongs to a family called Lawal Bello in Isheri Olofin. Other families have lands; Agbogunloko has land in Isheri, Adebiyi, Ogundeyi, and Olowu has too , but Lawal Bello doesn’t have any land in Isheri Olofin. How can you become Oba of Isheri Olofin when your ancestry does not have a root in Isheri Olofin? Where his family has land is Ejigbo-Akeke, not in Isheri Olofin.”
“The land I am in control of belongs to my forefathers. I have a right to it. I have a right to any land owned by my family. What we inherited from our ancestors is what we are claiming; that is why I am in control of that land.”
” He doesn’t have any family land in Isheri Olofin. He said my father controlled the land, and I am now in control of the land. At least, his family should also own landed properties for him to control, not interfering with someone else’s family land.”
” He should stop contradicting issues. Since we do not share same land and same boundaries why then is he formenting trouble? He is building his palace on the Balogun family land (the Yusuf portion of the land). He has forcefully encroached on the Balogun family land without consulting the owners.”
” Let it be known that I will retrieve my family land. Everyone knows about the history of the Balogun family and how we played a vital role in the development of the kingdom historically.”
” Lawal Bello does not have a history in Isheri Olofin. He is getting support from the almighty government, and our kingmakers should be aware that they do not need to bow to pressure. The royal stool he is fighting for does not belong to him. Their family is entitled to being chief imam; you can’t be chief imam and want to be a king.”
“The ruling families of Isheri Olofin knows themselves. All the lineage of kingship knows the processes involved. His elder brother has occupied the chief imam position as it should be, yet the younger brother still wants to position self as king, that’s impossible . My challenge is you have a questionable character, and in our kingdom we have a regulation that people with questionable character cannot ascend the royal stool.”
