The residents of the Ajah community in Lagos State staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office on Monday, sending a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the alleged imposition of the Olumegbon family as the new traditional ruler of Ajah.
This marks the second demonstration by the group, following a similar protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly on November 28, 2024, where they sought legislative intervention.
The General Secretary of the Ajah Community, Alhaji Kazeem Odunlami led hundreds of protesters to the Governor’s Office in Alausa, urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to halt the alleged imposition and prevent potential conflicts in the area.
Odunlami stated that “Here today, December 9, 2024, we are here to make our submission and solidarity with our people in Ajah before our governor the talk and do governor.
“He is never tired. He is not a governor who always rests. He works round the clock.
“Then we pray to almighty Allah to grant his tenure successful and peacefully in the state because he talks and does.
“We are here to protest to let the governor know the planned imposition of the Olumegbon family as a traditional ruler in the Ajah community.
“We don’t want the governor to listen to misleading misinformation about the ownership of Ajah.
“We all know that the state government is so staunch about law, the governor supports and believes in the rule of law. That is why Lagos l state is being treated as a centre of excellence.
“Because in a situation where there is no rule of law, there will be a state of anarchy. When the state of anarchy emerges, there will be no peace.
“Olumegbon has never ruled the Ajah community from time immemorial, 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,” he said.
The General Secretary appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to take a bold step and act promptly to save the community from imposition.
He noted that under the state’s customs and traditions, the chieftaincy title of Olumegbon of Lagos was not associated with the rulership of the Ajah community.
Odulami said that the only recognized chieftaincy in Ajah since the colonial days was the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah adding that Olumegbon had no historical or judicial background to become the Oba of Ajah!
He said the Ajah community would never accept the rulership of Ajah by the Olumegbon family since the family has never ruled the land from time immemorial.
Addressing the protesters, Mr Ayodeji Haruna, Director, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Lagos State, urged the protesters to remain calm, while their request would be brought before the state Governor.
Haruna stated that the matter would be treated promptly by the Governor.
“I am not the authority in this matter, but ‘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 to seek the intervention of the government and very soon, the matter will be attended to,” he said.
The Ajah Community insists that the Baale system remains the legitimate leadership structure, dismissing the Olumegbon family’s claim to the throne as unfounded and contrary to their longstanding traditions.
