The Omo’Ba Meta Royal Family of Odonla, Ikorodu, Lagos State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over what it described as a growing threat to peace and stability in the community.

In separate petitions, the royal family alleged attempts by certain individuals to create division within the community through the purported duplication of the revered traditional title of Olotu Omo’Ba Meta.

The petition, signed by Oluseye Adedipe, the substantive Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and Head of the Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, called on security authorities and the Lagos State government to urgently investigate actions allegedly capable of causing a breach of peace within Odonla Kingdom and the wider Ikorodu Division.

Titled, “Petition Against the Illegal Duplication of the Title of Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and the Head of Oba Odeyemi Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace, and Attempts to Destabilise the Omo’Ba Meta Royal Family of Odonla Kingdom, Ikorodu, Lagos State,” the petition alleged that recent developments within the royal family could trigger unrest if not urgently addressed.

According to the petitioners, following the death of the immediate past Olotu Omo’Ba Meta, the late Asiwaju Ekiyoyo, members of the royal family unanimously selected Oluseye Adedipe as the new Olotu Omo’Ba Meta in accordance with established customs and traditions.

The family stated that formal notifications regarding his emergence were duly submitted to the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and acknowledged accordingly.

However, the petitioners alleged that some individuals later convened a parallel gathering where another person was allegedly presented as Olotu Omo’Ba Meta.

The family described the action as unlawful, provocative, and capable of destabilising the peace and unity of Odonla Kingdom and the wider Ikorodu Division.

“We are deeply disturbed that despite prior notification to the palace regarding the emergence of Oluseye Adedipe as the duly recognised Olotu Omo’Ba Meta, certain individuals allegedly proceeded with actions capable of creating confusion and instability within the royal family,” the petition read in part.

The petitioners further alleged that repeated efforts to formally present the new Olotu to the Ayangburen Palace were unsuccessful, despite official communications already acknowledged by palace authorities.

According to the royal family, the dispute is allegedly linked to interests surrounding family lands, properties, royalties, and community influence within Odonla.

The petitioners therefore appealed to the Nigeria Police Force and relevant government authorities to urgently intervene to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

“In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to the Nigeria Police Force to urgently intervene in this matter to prevent further escalation capable of resulting in violence, communal unrest, or breakdown of public peace,” the petition stated.

In a separate petition addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, the royal family called for the removal of the gazetted Otunba of Odonla Kingdom over actions allegedly capable of causing division and instability within the community.

The petition to the governor was signed by elders, executives, traditional representatives, and stakeholders of the Oba Odeyemi Royal Family, Odonla.

The family alleged that the gazetted Otunba of Odonla played a major role in the purported installation and public presentation of a parallel Olotu Omo’Ba Meta despite the existence of what they described as the duly selected and traditionally recognised office holder.

According to the petitioners, the parallel arrangement allegedly took place at his residence in Odonla before moving to the Ayangburen Palace for completion, thereby creating tension and confusion within the royal family and the community.

The petition further claimed that there is a subsisting court order restraining him from personally interfering in matters relating to the Odonla royal family and community without the consent of his co-high chiefs — Oloye Ogbodo, Oloye Raselu, and Oloye Iponyewa.

It also alleged that despite previous interventions and reconciliation efforts, he had continued to engage in activities capable of undermining peace within the kingdom.

The family stated that the overwhelming majority of stakeholders within the Oba Odeyemi Ofiran Royal Family had lost confidence in the leadership and conduct of the gazetted Otunba of Odonla Kingdom.

Consequently, the petitioners called for his removal, the withdrawal of all official recognition and privileges attached to the position, and government recognition of Oluseye Adedipe as the Olotu Omo’Ba Meta and new Otunba of Odonla Kingdom.