Barring unforeseen circumstances or any intervention, the good people of Ebute/Ipakodo in Ikorodu division will in the coming weeks/months have a new Oba after nearly Seventeen (17) years of tussles for the throne.
The vacant stool, left behind by the Late Oba Hassan Jimbo, the Sekemade of Ipakodo triggered off battles between two notable families – Onafowokan and Animasaun, for the throne.
Both families over these years have been shuttling between Ipakodo and various courts in Lagos in a bid to get favourable judgement on the matter.
However, success came the way of the Animasaun family when the Onafowokans allowed reason, wisdom and peace to prevail and allowed the Animasauns to produce a candidate to ascend the throne.
Oriwu Sun gathered that after an amicable settlement between both families, a letter was transmitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Ministry of Justice last year to that effect.
With the support of Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu who is eager to have more Obas crowned in the division, he did all he could to intervene in the matter and to get it resolved peacefully.
After all the necessary papers have been signed in the courts and the ministries concerned, it is now the turn of the Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs to forward a memo to the Lagos state cabinet (council) for approval before the newly chosen Oba, Engr.Bashir Shotonwa, who was once a director in the state Ministry of Works, would proceed to Ipebi for three months exclusion which will qualify him for Governor AkinAmbode handing him a staff of office.
As at the time of filing this report, the necessary documents concerning the throne had reached the cabinet office to be listed for Exco meeting where the final approval will be given.
According to family sources, barring any hitch the “starved” community of Ebute/Ipakodo will soon have a siting Oba on the throne.
Oriwu Sun will surely provide our readers with updates and latest developments on this matter.mi