Lagos monarchs’ council: Sanwo-Olu reignites Akran, Oba tension

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Thursday, reignited the subtle rivalry between the Akran of Badagry and the Oba of Lagos over the headship of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, as he extended the tenure of HM Riliwanu Aremu Akiolu as the permanent chairman of the council.

The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, HM De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, and Oba Akiolu had been engaged in misunderstanding over headship of the Lagos Council of Traditional Rulers, as the former argued for a rotational chairmanship.

In a move interpreted to mean an endorsement of the Lagos monarch, Governor Sanwo-Olu, Thursday, renewed tenures of Oba Akiola, other Lagos chiefs while formally stamping the continued permanent chairmanship of the council by the Oba of Lagos.

The governor further raised the membership of the council from 48 to 84 chiefs, while also approving the continuation of tenure of Oba Akiolu, as the body’s permanent chairman, and re-appointed the incumbent divisional vice chairmen of the council for another term.

The monarchs were appointed and installed by the Governor in June 2020 to oversee the affairs of the council established to promote harmony in Lagos.

The tenure of the chiefs ended two months ago, just after the general elections, further prompting reconstitution of the council members by the state government.

The inauguration was held at the Banquet Hall in the State House, Alausa, as the governor charged the monarchs to works towards ‘keeping Lagos safe for business and habitation,’ just as he harped on the ‘important role they play as institutions that interact heavily with our communities.’

“I am happy to announce the renewal of the tenures of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs for another term as well as the continuation of the tenure of Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Aremu Akiolu, as the body’s chairman.

“The monarchs play an important role in preserving our cultural heritage as well as continuing to play a role in contemporary governance and delivery of the dividends of democracy.

“I charged the council on the importance of keeping Lagos safe for business and habitation and the important role they play as institutions that interact heavily with our communities.

“As a responsive government, we have continued to support our traditional rulers to enhance their mobility and general upkeep, as well as the construction and renovation of palaces across the State. It is our expectation that all of these will aid seamless discharge of their duties in their respective domains,” Sanwo-Olu said.”

Sanwo-Olu said the ceremony attested to the importance his administration attached to traditional institutions and its relevance to the contemporary governance structure and delivery of dividends of democracy.

Sanwo-Olu thanked the traditional rulers for their support for his re-election and the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at the federal and at the State levels.

Remarking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, said the reconstitution came with consideration for the inclusion of all the First Class traditional rulers across the five divisions of the State.

“The traditional institution contributes phenomenally to good governance in Lagos in the area of resolution of chieftaincy matters and giving advice to Government on chieftaincy, security, inter-community relations and other public policy issues in the state,” she said.