Residents of Ajah in Lagos State have sent a distress call to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the planned imposition of a new traditional leader in the community.
This was expressed in a peaceful protest, which took place at the Governor’s Office on Monday morning.
The protest is the second in two weeks, following a similar one at the Lagos State House of Assembly on November 28.
The General Secretary of the Ajah Community, Kazeem Odunlami, who led the protesters to Alausa, said the Ajah residents required the urgent intervention of the governor.
Odunlami said what the Ajah residents were clamouring for was the intervention of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to stop the planned imposition so as to prevent conflict in the community.
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 added that no traditional ruler outside the community had ever ruled it from time immemorial saying, “It will not change now. For over 300 years, Baale of Ajah has been the one ruling the Ajah community and that is our culture and tradition.”
The general secretary also appealed to the governor to take a bold step and act promptly to save the community from implosion.
He noted that under the state’s customs and traditions, the chieftaincy title of those attempting the imposition was not associated with the rulership of the Ajah community.
Odulami said the only recognised chieftaincy in Ajah since the colonial days was the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah.
Addressing the protesters, the Director office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement Lagos State, Mr Ayodeji Haruna, urged the protesters to remain calm while their request would be brought before the state governor.
Haruna said the matter would be treated promptly by the governor.
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 to the state House of Assembly to seek government’s intervention. Very soon, the matter will be attended to,” he said.
