Residents of Ajah in Lagos State have issued a distress call to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu regarding the imposition of a new traditional leader in the community.
This was stated in a peaceful demonstration held at the Governor’s Office on Monday morning.
This is the second protest in two weeks, following one at the Lagos State House of Assembly on November 28.
The General Secretary of the Ajah Community, Kazeem Odunlami, who led the demonstrators to Alausa, stated that the Ajah citizens needed the governor’s immediate action.
Odunlami stated that Ajah people were clamouring for the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene to halt the planned imposition in order to avoid community unrest.
He said, “Today, December 9, 2024, we are here to make our submission and solidarity with our people in Ajah before our governor.
“We are here to let the governor know about the planned imposition of a traditional ruler in the Ajah community. We don’t want the governor to listen to misleading misinformation towards the ownership of Ajah. We all know that the state government is so staunch about law and that the governor believes in the rule of law. That is why Lagos State is regarded as the centre of excellence. Because in a situation where there is no rule of law, there will be anarchy.
“When the state of anarchy emerges, there will be no peace. We are begging the state government to save our souls from this imposition to avoid communal clashes in the Ajah community. All the families of Ajah say no to the superimposition on Ajah Community. Ajah Community seeks peace.”
He went on to claim that no traditional monarch from outside the society had ever ruled it since time immemorial, and that this would not change now.
For more than 300 years, Baale of Ajah has ruled the Ajah community, and this is our culture and tradition.
The general secretary also urged the governor to take a decisive step and act quickly to prevent the town from imploding.
He pointed out that, according to state conventions and traditions, the chieftaincy title of those seeking the imposition was not related to the Ajah community’s rulership.
According to Odulami, the sole recognised chieftaincy in Ajah since colonial times has been the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah.
Addressing the demonstrators, Mr. Ayodeji Haruna, Director of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement for Lagos State, advised them to remain peaceful while their proposal was presented before the state governor.
Haruna stated that the governor would handle the situation swiftly.
He said, “I am not the authority in this matter, but I am assuring you that the issue will not be swept under the carpet. It will be resolved and attended to by the governor.
“In the meantime, we have heard you, and we are happy that you staged a peaceful protest at the state House of Assembly to seek the government’s intervention. Very soon, the matter will be attended to,” he said.
