I am the authentic King: Oba Oduowoiya breaks silence

Oluwole Adeboye

The traditional ruler of Ete Land in Ojo Local Government Area Of Lagos, Oba Nofiu Adaraloye Oduowoiya (Adaraloye I) has faulted claims against his rulership.

He made the clarification in Lagos after a prince allegedly paraded himself as the traditional ruler of the town.

Oba Oduowoiya said;

“I am the authentic Kabiyesi. The man parading himself as Kabiyesi is fake. He is just causing mayhem everywhere. I was made the Kabiyesi in 2017 during the administration of Governor Akinwumi Ambode and I got my staff of office.

“I have ten communities under me which include: Ilemba Awori, Illemba Hausa, Egan Iromi, Sagira, Ojota, Oriwo, Onigbogbo, Iyamu and Isefun. The impostor was arrested by police detectives attached to Area K and transferred to SCID Panti, Yaba. From there, he was transferred to Zone 2, Onikan, and later to FCID, Alagbon, Ikoyi where he was charged to court. When he was released they told him to quit and stop parading himself as the Kabiyesi”.

Oba Oduowoiya further explained, “When it is 6 pm people do not move around again, because they wouldn’t want to be killed by cultists and this is not good in a society with good leaders. During the last election, people at Egan could not vote. I registered at the place and we need to exercise our civic rights. I am a member of the Council of Obas in Lagos and I often attend meetings with our fathers, Oba Rilwanu Akinolu; Onijanilkin of Ijanikin; Oniba of Iba; Onigando of Igando; Oloto of Oto and Olojo of Ojo.

“Oba Akinolu Olowo Eko always tells us not to fight. So, I was baffled when the Chairman Ojo Egan LCDA, Mr. Adekunle Asafa invited him to a meeting and he declined”.

The apparently distraught Oba Oduowoiya, who maintained that he abhors trouble, passionately appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat to come to the aid of the people of Ete.

A copy of the letter recognizing Oba Oduowoiya and signed by former Governor Akinwumi Ambode was handed to P.M.NEWS.

The letter dated 22nd April 2017 reads “Instrument Of Appointment: Oba Of Ete Land… Whereas the OBA OF ETE LAND IN OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA of Lagos State is a recognized chieftaincy title under the provisions of part 11 of the obas and chiefs law cap 02, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.”