His path to the throne is no doubt the choice of the gods and voice of the people of the land – Hakeem Oriyomi Ajasa, a charming prince of Iruland is destined to become the next Oniru after surviving avalanche of opposing hurdles.
The battle for the throne of Iruland began immediately after the demise of Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru – A serious contention over his successor broke out among ruling houses.
Although Prince Ajasa was unanimously favoured to succeed the late Oba Abiodun, but expectedly, as always in every succession saga, there would be stiff oppositions – Aremo Segun Oniru, the eldest son of the late and immediate past monarch, emerged as a key contender for the throne.
Both Ajasa and Aremo Segun became major contenders in the race with the duo claiming rights to the throne. They are both very popular and have very strong ties with major stakeholders in Lagos State.
Despite fierce contest from oppositions, Prince Ajasa aptly displayed traits of a born to rule leader in humility. He confronted media war with kind words and absolved all forms of affronts while the battle last.
With an arsenal of proofs of rights to the throne in his possession, Prince Ajasa, a quintessence of humility and wisdom, conserved a very quiet mien in the face of attacks from his opponents – a display which further earned him admiration from all sides, including from the camp of his main rival, Aremo Segun Oniru.
However, a glimpse into the history of the throne reveals that the families of Abisogun, Akiogun and Ogunyemi are the only three recognised ruling houses entitled to the Oniru royal throne. This is clearly stated in the Customary Law Regulation Selection to the Oniru Chieftaincy of Lagos of 14th September 1993 which was approved by the then Executive Governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola.
The 1993 declaration also plainly approved the rotation and the procedure to be followed in the nomination of candidates by the Local Government Authority.
The Abisogun family, on the premise of the established customary law, had, after wide consultations in both traditional and conventional, unanimously settled for Prince Hakeem Ajasa as the next Oniru of Iruland.
The choice of Hakeem Ajasa as the next Oniru has also received the blessings of key stakeholders of the Lagos traditional institution. His name was subsequently forwarded to the Lagos State Government for approval as the next Oniru of Iruland.
Kabiyesi in-waiting, Hakeem Oriyomi Ajasa, a perfect embodiment of loyalty, is a fearless police officer with unblemished chains of achievements while serving fatherland.
He is not just a respected senior police officer but equally a very powerful and influential individual within Lagos circle who is very close to key figures on the corridors of power.
Ajasa’s late father, who was until his death the third-in-command in the hierarchy of “Adimu Orisa” (head of popular Eyo ), was also very popular in Lagos and was also an ally of Nigeria’s political generalissimo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The world awaits official pronouncement of Prince Hakeem Oriyomi Ajasa as the new Oniru of Iruland and to see him walk majestically to mount the velvet throne of his forefathers.
