Globaltimes 
Don’t impose Olumegbon on us, Ajah residents caution Gov. Sanwo-Olu
Residents of the Ajah community in Lagos State have called on the Lagos State Government not to impose Olumegbon of Lagos on them as they said he has no heritage in their lands, which may spark unprecedented protests and cause relative peace of over 200,000 people in the area.
They rather said the community has a culture and tradition that has existed for over 300 years, which has no link with the title of Olumegbon.
This statement followed a peaceful protest the residents organised at the Governor’s Office recently.
In a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the alleged imposition of the Olumegbon family as the new traditional ruler of Ajah, the community disagreed vehemently with the Lagos State Government officials and accused them of given false narrative to the governor, thereby disturbing the peace of the area.
The protest marks their second demonstration following a similar protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly on November 28, 2024, where they sought the lawmakers’ intervention.
Kazeem Odunlami, General Secretary of the Ajah Community, led hundreds of protesters to the governor’s office, urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to halt the alleged imposition to avoid potential conflicts in the area.
“Here today, December 9, 2024, we are here to make our submission and solidarity with our people in Ajah before our governor the talk and do governor.
“He is never tired. He is not a governor who always rests. He works round the clock.
“Then we pray to almighty Allah to grant his tenure successful and peacefully in the state because he talks and does.
“We are here to protest to let the governor know the planned imposition of the Olumegbon family as a traditional ruler in the Ajah community.
“We don’t want the governor to listen to misleading misinformation about the ownership of Ajah.
“We all know that the state government is so staunch about law, the governor supports and believes in the rule of law. That is why Lagos l state is being treated as a centre of excellence.
“Because in a situation where there is no rule of law, there will be a state of anarchy. When the state of anarchy emerges, there will be no peace.
“We are begging the state government to save our soul from this imposition to avoid communal clashes in the Ajah community.
“All the families of Ajah say no to the superimposition of Olumegbon Family as the ruler of Ajah Community”, “Ajah Community seeks for Peace.”
“Olumegbon has never ruled the Ajah community from time immemorial, it will not change now!”, “For over 300 years, Baale of Ajah has been the one ruling the Ajah community and that is our culture and tradition,” he said.
The general secretary appealed to the governor to take a bold step and act promptly to save the community from imposition.
He noted that under the state’s customs and traditions, the chieftaincy title of Olumegbon of Lagos was not associated with the rulership of the Ajah community.
Odulami said that the only recognized chieftaincy in Ajah since the colonial days was the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah adding that Olumegbon had no historical or judicial background to become the Oba of Ajah!
Odunlami said the Ajah community would never accept the rulership of Ajah by the Olumegbon family since the family has never ruled the land from time immemorial.
Addressing the protesters, Ayodeji Haruna, Director of the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement, commended the peaceful nature of the protest and assured them that their concerns would be relayed to the governor for resolution.
“I assure you that this matter will not be ignored. The governor will address it promptly, and we appreciate your peaceful approach in bringing this to our attention,” Haruna said.
The Ajah community insists that the Baale system remains the legitimate leadership structure, dismissing the Olumegbon family’s claim to the throne as unfounded and contrary to their longstanding traditions.
