By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
Oba-elect of Bariga, Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, has appealed to Lagos State and Bariga Local Council Development Area to recognise him as oba of Barigaland.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Baales – traditional rulers in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, had in 2023 endorsed High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, a real estate entrepreneur, as the new monarch for the stool of Oba of Bariga.
Chief Ayetiwa, who is the current Baale of Ilaje community in Bariga was nominated during a monthly meeting of the traditional rulers at the secretariat of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2023 where Ayetiwa, was chosen as Oba – elect, also had in attendance, the elders of the communities, principal members, youths, indigenes and residents who threw their weight behind the decision.
Speaking to reporters at the time, a representative of the Baales, Chief Wasiu Aro Jinadu, the Baale of Abule-Okuta, said that Ayetiwa’s selection was a unanimous decision of the royal fathers in Bariga Kingdom, stressing that the name was chosen after scrutinizing all candidates shortlisted to ascend the throne.
“We, the Baales in the LCDA, at our monthly meetings have endorsed Chief Kayode Ayetiwa to be our king in Bariga, because he is very capable and he was born, bread and brought up in Bariga. All his businesses are in Bariga and he has the power to run the Obaship in this town successfully,”
However, two years after the epochal decision and endorsement by the Baales – the Baale-in-Council in Bariga, the Lagos State and Bariga Local Council Development Area are yet to recognise Ayetiwa as Oba of Barigaland.
He said the documents pertaining to his endorsement as the oba-elect on November 16, 2023 have been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for approval but no favourable response yet from them.
Ayetiwa recalled that the traditional status of Bariga, saying it was among the towns that were formerly administered by then ex -Jagunmolu of Somolu, late Oba Suberu Opeki.
He noted that eight communities formerly within the jurisdiction of late Jagunmolu have their separate kings, except Bariga, and appealed to the government and Bariga LCDA to give their approval without delay.
“I was elected oba of Bariga on November 16, 2023, by all 11 members of the Baale-in-Council of Bariga LCDA.
“We are waiting the approval of our governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to install me as oba of Barigaland.
“Last month, our council Chairman, Kolade David, announced at a meeting with the Baales that I am the next king of Bariga, and we all rely on his promise that this has to be done before he leaves office.
“We have a written letters to the state. We were directed to the tribunal in charge of the obas, but we have to go through the council chairman. We are waiting for the local government’s response,” he told reporters.
He dismissed the issue of Jagunmolu title as something that had been abolished by the Lagos State Government.
Ayetiwa said: “We cannot have Jagunmolu of Somolu, because Lagos State has nullified the position over 23 years ago so, nobody can call himself Jagunmolu since the state no longer recognises that title.“What we have is oba of Bariga and not Jagunmolu of Somolu. The title was held then by Kabiyesi Suberu Opeke, who ruled from Fadeyi to Majidun.
“Under this jurisdiction, Lagos State had installed eight traditional rulers in Agiliti, Ogudu, Oworo, Mile 12, Ketu, Agboyi 1, and Agboyi 2 among communities ruled by the Jagunmolu, except Bariga, meaning that technically, Lagos State has knocked out the Jagunmolu title.
“It is on this premise that I am calling on the state and local governments to recognise me as oba without delay.”
