Group Petitions Sanwo-Olu, CP over Unauthorised Crowning of Iya Oloja-General of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA
Sunday Okobi
A group, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), has petitioned the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Police Commissioner against what it described as the purported crowning of an unauthorized individual as the Iya Oloja-General of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA in the state.
It expressed the pertinence of addressing “a critical, threatening and destabilizing issue affecting the peace and order in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA in Lagos State.
“This has been communicated to the office of the Lagos State governor for urgent intervention in a letter titled: ‘Urgent Call for Governor Sanwo-Olu to Address Threats to the Life and Office of acting Iya Oloja-General of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA: Restore Peace and Justice’.”
The group at a press conference held in Lagos yesterday and addressed by its leader, Buna Olaitan Isak, stated that the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda “received an urgent call for intervention on the above matter and an investigation conducted which revealed a well-documented fact that Chief Mrs. Mojisola Oyesanya has been duly nominated, appointed, and endorsed as the acting Iya Oloja-General of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA.
“We discovered that the legitimate appointment followed due process and the consensus of key stakeholders, including: three royal councils of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA (Adeboruwa-in-Council, Olubeshe-in-Council, and Fidimolu-in-Council). The executive, legislative, and management arms of the LCDA, and the Nigeria Police Force, Igbogbo Division, and the State Security Service (DSS).
“Moreover, the appointment was formally ratified and approved by the Council chairman, ensuring that Chief Mrs. Oyesanya is recognized as the rightful leader.”
The human right group lamented that despite this, “we learnt that certain individuals have attempted to destabilize the community by imposing an unauthorized candidate as Iya Oloja-General. These efforts are deceitfully tied to the supposed endorsement of His Royal Majesty, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom—a claim majorly rejected as baseless and divisive.”
Isak added that more concerning, as elaborated in their letter to the Lagos State governor recently, “a direct threat to life was made against Chief Mrs. Oyesanya. Five unidentified men visited her shop while she was away, delivering a chilling message: ‘withdraw from her legitimate position or face dire consequences’.
“This act of intimidation is a criminal affront to the rule of law and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
The group, in light of these developments, therefore, demanded the reinforcement of the legitimacy of Chief Mrs. Mojisola Oyesanya as the acting Iya Oloja-General, which must be upheld without compromise.
“The authorities must prevent any attempt to impose or recognize another individual, as it violates due process and threatens community stability.
“The Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies must thoroughly investigate the threat against Chief Mrs. Oyesanya and ensure the safety of her life and property.
“The authority of the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA under the Council chairman must not be undermined by unlawful actions. Any individual parading themselves as Iya Oloja-General apart from Chief Mrs. Oyesanya should be arrested and prosecuted.
“We, therefore, appeal to the governor of Lagos State and the Royal Fathers to prioritize justice and ensure the rule of law prevails, refraining from any actions that could jeopardize peace in the LCDA,” the group stated.
It added: “The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda calls for decisive action to restore order, uphold justice, and protect the lives of all involved. Let us send a clear message that unlawful behaviour and intimidation have no place in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA or anywhere else in the state.”
