The Okuoye Royal Family of Ise in the Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the ongoing selection process for the town’s new traditional ruler.
It said all the required procedures had been completed and expressed confidence that the government would act in line with due process in approving the family’s nominated candidate for installation as the next Onise of Ise.
The appeal was made at an enlarged family meeting and press conference held at the family’s Igbekodo Quarters in Ise.
The family called on Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the kingmakers respect the outcome of the family’s selection process.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the Olori-Ebi, Alhaji Adeniyi Atere, and the family secretary, Idowu Adebisi Lana, reaffirmed that Prince Ekundayo Babatunde Lana, a lawyer, remained the sole candidate unanimously nominated by the family for the Onise of Ise stool.
According to them, the three branches of the Okuoye Royal Family – Ogunko, Oyafunke and Esulana – jointly conducted the selection process in accordance with the town’s customs and traditions before presenting Prince Lana to the kingmakers and the Lekki LCDA for ratification.
The family expressed surprise over reports that another prince was being presented as the family’s candidate.
Atere said: “There was never a time we selected or submitted two candidates.
“Our position has not changed. Barrister Ekundayo Babatunde Lana is the only candidate chosen by the family.”
The family maintained that the selection followed the required traditional procedures, including consultations and divination, before arriving at the final nominee.
They explained that 24 princes participated in the screening exercise, after which Prince Ekundayo Babatunde Lana emerged as the preferred candidate and was formally presented to the appropriate authorities.
Idowu Lana said it was unexpected that another contestant in the selection process was now being identified as the Oba-elect.
He stated that the individual in question participated in the screening but did not emerge from the traditional process.
He also claimed that the same person had already been selected as a traditional ruler in another community.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source thenationonlineng.net ’
