Onikoyi Royal Family protests at Lagos Assembly over monarch’s installation

The Onikoyi Royal Family of Ikoyi and Imoba land in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State has protested the installation of Prince Kunle Fafunwa as the new Oba Onikoyi, describing the process as a breach of tradition and an affront to established agreements.

Armed with placards, family members staged a peaceful protest outside the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, calling on the state government to halt Fafunwa’s coronation.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adesoji Onikoyi described the installation as “disappointing and insulting,” insisting that the rightful Oba-elect was Sulaimon Waliu Omogbolahan. He argued that the decision to enthrone Fafunwa, son of the immediate past Onikoyi, violated the Onikoyi Chieftaincy Declaration of 2006 Gazette.

“The family is really disappointed with the installation of Prince Kunle Fafunwa as the new Oba Onikoyi. Sulaimon Waliu Omogbolahan was the rightful Oba-elect, chosen according to the established traditions of the royal family,” Adesoji said.

He explained that the gazetted declaration stipulates that the throne should rotate among the ten branches of the royal family, including Fafunwa, Ojubiari, and others. According to him, after the Fafunwa line, it was the turn of the Ojubiari branch to ascend the throne.

“The crux of the family’s argument hinges on the 2006 Gazette, approved during the tenure of former governor Bola Tinubu, which made it clear that succession must rotate. By this, installing Prince Fafunwa is a clear deviation from customary practices,” he added.

The family expressed concern that r