Dosunmu Onikoyi royal family calls for reversal of newly installed monarch

The Dosunmu branch of the Onikoyi Royal Family has called for the immediate reversal of the installation of Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa as the new Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Imoba Land.

The royal family also called for the formal recognition and approval of the candidate of the family, Prince Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla Adeniran Onikoyi, as the rightful successor to the throne.

Members of the family made the call on the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders in the Obaship and chieftaincy council in the state, during a press conference held at the ancestral home of the family on Sunday, in Lagos Island, Lagos.

The call was sequel to the Lagos State Government installation of the late King’s son, Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa, as the new Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Imoba Land, a move which, according to the Dosunmu branch of the Onikoyi family, was contrary to the choice and rotational structure between the two ruling houses.

Counsel to the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family, Olalekan F. Ojo of Platinum and Taylor Hill LP, alleged that the installation of the new Oba Onikoyi was a clear breach of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

Ojo argued that it violates the customary law and established rotational structure that governs the Onikoyi Chieftaincy.

Addressing the concern, he said, “The recent installation of Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa as the Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Imoba Land by the Lagos State Government and unnamed authorities was done without recourse to due process and in contravention of binding legal precedents, constitutes a clear breach of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State (as amended) and violates the customary law and established rotational structure that governs the Onikoyi Chieftaincy.

“The Onikoyi Royal Family has for decades operated under a dually recognised rotation system between two ruling houses of Muti Onikoyi Royal House and Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal House.

“However, following the passing of Oba Patrick Fafunwa of the Muti House in December 2023, who was enthroned in 1996, customary and statutory law dictated that succession must revert to the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family. This is consistent with the rotation principle and historical precedent.

“In accordance with this, the Dosunmu branch held internal deliberations and lawfully elected Prince Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla Adeniran Onikoyi as the Crown Prince and Oba-Elect. All documents and evidentiary support, including genealogical records, endorsements, and minutes of selection, were formally submitted to the Lagos State Government.

“To our dismay, rather than follow due process and respond to this legitimate selection, the Government and certain ‘authorities from above’ proceeded to install Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa, the son of the late Oba, in a move that breaches both the Obas and Chiefs Law and the principle of rotational equity.

“This imposition amounts to executive interference, violates legislative mandates, ignores binding customary procedure, and is akin to nullifying the very institution of rotation that has preserved balance and legitimacy within the chieftaincy.

“The Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State (2015 Reprint, CAP 5) mandates that succession must occur in accordance with the registered declaration of the chieftaincy, and that only designated ruling houses in turn may present candidates to the Kingmakers and the State for approval.”

Also, setting the record straight, a patriarch of the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family, Pa Audu Jubrila Ademola Onikoyi, said the rotational arrangement between the two recognised ruling houses of the Dosunmu Onikoyi is not merely a matter of oral tradition.

According to him, it has been legally affirmed by Supreme Court judgments and supported by authoritative documentation, including a widely respected report submitted to the late Obu of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, compiled by the Idejo Council under the leadership of the late Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru (Akiogun II).

He described the installation of the new Onikoyi as a grave injustice, a violation of due process and a betrayal of the collective heritage of the Onikoyi royal lineage.

He added, “In keeping with this established and rotational succession pattern, the Muti House last held the title through Chief Patrick Fafunwa, who became the first Oba Onikoyi and reigned from 1996 until his passing in December 2023. Prior to him, Chief Adamo Fagbemi Onikoyi of the Dosunmu line ruled from 1982 to 1995. Therefore, upon the passing of Oba Patrick Fafunwa, the next rightful turn to the throne by all standards of custom, law, and equity reverts to the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family.

“In accordance with this, our family unanimously elected Prince Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla Adeniran Onikoyi as our Oba Onikoyi-elect. Following due tradition and with all relevant documents submitted to the authorities, we made a formal presentation of his candidacy to the Lagos State Government-confident that law and fairness would be upheld.

“To our collective shock and deep dismay, the Lagos State Government, allegedly influenced by unnamed “authorities from above,” chose to bypass this lawful process and installed the late King’s son, Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa, in what can only be described as a blatant abuse of executive privilege and a brazen contravention of customary law and precedent.

“We, the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family, reject this imposition in its entirety. It is not only an injustice to our lineage, but also an assault on the sanctity of traditional rulership in Lagos State, which is meant to be guided by heritage, law, and fairness, not political favouritism or dynastic entitlement.

“This injustice has resonated far beyond our family. We have received overwhelming messages, support and outrage from well-meaning Lagosians both at home and in the diaspora to recognise the damage this decision does to the integrity of our traditional institutions.

“We call on the Lagos State Government to rescind this illegitimate installation of Prince Ibikunle Fafunwa and respect the rotational arrangement duly recognised by law and custom. We want the Lagos State Government to acknowledge and approve the rightful candidate, Prince Abdul Ganiyu Ayinla Adeniran Onikoyi and uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and due process in all future traditional appointments. This is not just a Dosunmu issue. It is a Lagos issue. It is a justice issue.”

Efforts made to reach out to Prince Fafunwa, the Eti-Osa Local Government, and the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development for comments yielded no positive outcome.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has debunked the allegations levelled by the Dosunmu Onikoyi Royal Family against the State Government.

He disclosed that the government followed due process in the installation of the new monarch, noting that the role of the state is merely to be present and present the staff of office, which was what the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs did.

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