Tension rocked Ijora and Iganmu in Lagos on Monday as the Ojora of Ijora Kingdom, Oba AbdulFatai Oyegbemi, wielded the royal hammer by dethroning six of his chiefs for attending a Labour Party (LP) campaign event without his permission.
The affected chiefs—Chief Lateef Ojora (Bale Alaba Oro), Chief Saliu Biliamin (Bale Alafia Dodoro), Chief Taiwo Hassan (Bale Oke Ira), Chief Idris Ojora (Bale Abule Kere), Chief Hakeem Oseni (Bale Mosafejo Amukoko), and Chief Sule Balogun (Balogun of Abule Kere)—were accused of flouting palace protocols and impersonating the monarch at the political rally held in Apapa.
During an emergency council meeting held at the ancient palace, Oba Oyegbemi reportedly expressed deep disappointment, insisting that no chief is permitted to act on his behalf without explicit royal consent. According to a statement issued from the palace, the monarch emphasized that all traditional titleholders are custodians of sacred responsibilities and must
The royal decision, which has sparked discussions across the kingdom, is seen as an effort to maintain disciplinary order and political neutrality among traditional leadership in the face of heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oba Oyegbemi, while reaffirming his commitment to the kingdom’s development, commended the ongoing projects in the area by the current government. He also reiterated his support for peaceful coexistence and stronger synergy between traditional institutions and modern governance.
This is not the first time traditional leaders in the South-West have clashed with political interests. Observers say the action taken by the Ojora could set a precedent for how monarchs respond to political overreach within their domains.
As the dust settles, one message from the Ojora’s palace is loud and clear: traditional leadership is not a political accessory.
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