5th September, 2011
The Agege Progressive Forum has condemned moves by a serving Lagos State commissioner to impose an unpopular candidate as traditional ruler of Agege. The stool is vacant following the demise of the former ruler, Oba Lateef Adams, Akinsosoyin 1.
In a statement by the Chairman of the group, Ola Omotade and Secretary, Mohammed Bello, the forum described the moves as illegal, stressing that it was contrary to the decision of the Agege kingmakers and the 14 village heads to appoint a Canada-based businessman, Prince Nurudeen Adepoju Otapo for the vacant stool.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the Ohun-Ifa Otapo Ruling House based on the directive received from the Chairman of Agege Local Government, had submitted the name of Adepoju to the local government to succeed the late Oba Lateef Adam.
The commissioner was said to have written a letter to the Agege Local Government suggesting another candidate for the stool in contravention of the decision of the kingmakers. He allegedly asked the local government to forward the name of the candidate to the state government through his ministry for approval and appointment as the new Olu of Agege kingdom.
Before the commissioner’s intervention, a community leader and kingmaker, Chief Jimoh Aileru, 90 and 14 village heads had thrown their weight behind the candidature of Adepoju as the next Olu of Agege.