Okokomaiko Obaship Tussle: Ogunyemi Ruling House Rejects Daudu’s Claim, Appeals for Respect of Court Order
Okokomaiko Obaship Tussle: Ogunyemi Ruling House Rejects Daudu’s Claim, Appeals for Respect of Court Order
The Ogunyemi Ruling House of Okokomaiko has dissociated itself from the claim of Alhaji Kehinde Daudu to the Obaship stool of Okokomaiko, urging the Lagos State Government and all stakeholders in the chieftaincy process to respect a subsisting interim court order.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the ruling house, Comrade Taiwo Aro, the family said Daudu was neither a member of the Ogunyemi Ruling House nor selected or nominated by the family for the stool.
The ruling house also disputed claims that Daudu had been endorsed by the entire Okokomaiko community, describing any announcement, ceremony or representation suggesting such endorsement as contrary to its position.
The family said: “Alhaji Kehinde Daudu does not relate or belong to our ruling house in any form, and he has neither been selected nor nominated by the family for the Obaship stool.”
It further clarified that traditional and family festivals organised by families in Okokomaiko should not be interpreted as endorsement of any individual’s claim to the traditional stool.
The ruling house stated that the dispute over the Olu of Okokomaiko was already before a competent court and urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its course.
According to the statement, the court had restrained Daudu, described as the first defendant in the suit, from presenting himself for appointment or approval as the next Olu of Okokomaiko or parading himself as the Olu pending the determination of the pending application.
The Ogunyemi Ruling House therefore appealed to the Lagos State Government and persons involved in the proposed chieftaincy process to respect the interim injunction and avoid actions capable of undermining the court proceedings.
“No person or authority should act in a manner capable of undermining the authority of a subsisting court order,” the statement said.
The ruling house also clarified that Alhaji Akinwunmi Aro remains the recognised Head of the Ogunyemi Ruling House, while Comrade Taiwo Aro remains its Secretary.
It described contrary representations as unauthorised and urged stakeholders to preserve peace in Okokomaiko pending the resolution of the dispute.
The family said it reserved the right to pursue appropriate legal and administrative remedies where necessary.
