Says candidate unjustly installed, threatens legal action
The Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family has condemned the installation of Ibikunle Fafunwa as the Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Imoba land, calling on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the state government to rescind the decision as due process was not followed.

An elder, Audu Jubrila Ademola Onikoyi, who spoke on behalf of the family and other elders, yesterday, at the family house of the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal family in Isale Eko, Lagos Island, said that the family considered the action of the state government and unnamed actors as a grave injustice, a violation of due process and a betrayal of their collective heritage.

He also called on the state government to respect the rotational arrangement duly recognised by law and customs, as well as acknowledge and approve the rightful candidate picked by the family, in person of Abdul Ganiyu Adeniran Onikoyi.

He further said: “In keeping with the established rotational succession pattern, the Muti House last headed the title through Patrick Fafunwa, who became the first Oba Onikoyi and reigned from 1996 until his passing in December 2023. Prior to him, Adamo Fagbemi Onikoyi of the Dosunmu line ruled from 1982 to 1995.

“Therefore, upon the passing of Oba Patrick Fafunwa, the next rightful turn to the throne by all standards of customs, law, and equity reverts to the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family. In accordance with this, our family unanimously elected Abdul Ganiyu Adeniran Onikoyi as our Oba Onikoyi-elect.”

He maintained that the selection of Abdul Ganiyu Adeniran Onikoyi by the family followed due process and tradition, after which the government was notified.

“To our collective shock and deep dismay, the Lagos State Government, allegedly influenced by unnamed authorities from above, chose to bypass this lawful process and installed the late king’s son, Ibikunle Fafunwa, in what can be described as a blatant abuse of executive privilege and a brazen contravention of customary law and precedent.”

“We, the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family, reject this imposition in its entirety. It is not only an injustice to our lineage, but also an assault on the sanctity of traditional rulership in Lagos State, which is meant to be guided by heritage, law and fairness, and not political favouritism or dynasty entitlement.”

Also speaking, counsel to the family and Oba-elect, Olalekan F. Ojo, Managing Partner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, stated that the state government’s action was done without recourse to due process, and in contravention of the binding legal precedents, constitutes a clear breach of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State (as amended) and violates the customary law and established rotational structure that governs the Onikoyi Chieftaincy.

“The Onikoyi Royal Family has for decades operated under a dually recognised rotation system between two ruling houses: Muti Onikoyi Royal House and Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal House.”

“This rotation system is not only historically entrenched, but has also been judicially recognised and affirmed by Nigeria’s superior courts (including the Supreme Court of Nigeria) in multiple cases concerning chieftaincy succession disputes.

“To our dismay, rather than follow due process and respond to this legitimate selection, the government and certain ‘authorities from above’ proceeded to install Ibikunle Fafunwa, the son of the late Oba, in a move that breaches both the Obas and Chiefs Law and the principle of rotational equity.

“This imposition amounts to executive interference, violates legislative mandates, ignores binding customary procedure, and is akin to nullifying the very institution of rotation that has preserved balance and legitimacy within the chieftaincy.

“In view of the above, we, on behalf of the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family, demand immediate reversal of the unlawful installation of Ibikunle Fafunwa; formal recognition and approval of the rightful successor, Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla Adeniran Onikoyi, in line with the established rotation, the reaffirmation of the rule of law in all chieftaincy matters in Lagos State and beyond, an urgent review and intervention by the chieftaincy tribunal of Lagos State and other regulatory institutions responsible for preserving the integrity of traditional authority.”