Some members of the Onikoyi royal family in Lagos Island have raised an alarm over an alleged attempt by a son of the immediate past Onikoyi, Oba Ibikunle Fafunwa, to impose himself as the next Onikoyi.
The family members alleged that Prince Kunle Fafunwa, the youngest son of the late monarch was making efforts to impose himself as the new Onikoyi against the will of the royal family as a whole.
They pointed out that Fafunwa’s plan to become the next Onikoyi contradicts the rotational agreement which was part of the provisions of the 2006 Onikoyi declaration signed by the then governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, a member of the family, Prince Olayinka Abidemi from Aluko Ajose branch, noted that there are 10 branches within the Onikoyi royal family.
He added that all the branches had unanimously honoured the rotational agreement and endorsed a candidate among themselves.
Abidemi wondered why the son of the immediate past Onikoyi would signify interest in becoming the next Onikoyi.
To this end, he called on Lagos State Government and other relevant authorities to call him to order.
Abidemi said: “What we are talking about is the 2006 Onikoyi declaration. We used to have a Chief before. The Lagos state government set up a tribunal, they looked at our history and we were given the order to have a King. In the declaration, it was stated that there will be ten branches. The first on the list is Fafunwa, the family that produced the late king. So, how will his son say that he will be the next king when we have other branches waiting?
“The Onikoyi royal family is more than 5,000 people. There is a declaration that says it should be rotated among all the branches. How can somebody whose father left the throne say it is his turn?
“The entire Onikoyi royal family came together and unanimously honoured the 2006 Onikoyi declaration. The Ojubira branch presented 3 candidates and out of them, one has been settled for. His selection was supported by all the branches. So, the son of the immediate past Onikoyi does not have the right to contest at this point in time. I also want to be king, but it is not our turn yet.”
Also, another member of the Onikoyi royal family, Alhaja Fausat Alli Onikoyi, said that it would not be possible for someone whose father left the throne to become the next Onikoyi because of the provisions of the declaration which states that it should be rotated among all the branches.
She said, “We have 10 branches because Muti had 10 children. It is not possible for Prince Kunle Fafunwa to be the next Onikoyi because ascension to the throne is on a rotational basis.
“We don’t have any problem with anyone. Anything apart from what the family has done is illegal. All the branches were present and well represented when the decision to choose the next Onikoyi was taken, and there is no going back on our decision.”