Behind The Scene Details Of Power Struggle That Aided Invasion & Looting Of Oba Of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu’s Palace

Eniola Adeniyi

An uneasy peace reigns in the domain of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, especially in the locality of his seat of power – Ita Iduganran.

Insiders disclosed the Oba is deeply hurting from the unwanted history – and sacrilege – created with the invasion and looting of his palace, particularly the taking away of his symbol of authority Opa Ase (Traditional Staff of Office).

And the community is still angry over the killing of an indigene that triggered the attack on the palace of Oba Akiolu.

“It is an uneasy peace that exists in that axis…there are talks the Oba may take steps to crack down all those culpable in the looting of his palace and there are also talks the community may push back in the name of justice for the family of the youth that was killed” societynow.ng learned.

How did things degenerate to this level between the Oba of Lagos and his subjects?

An insider disclosed behind this development is a bubbling struggle for control.

“When Oba Akiolu assumed the throne based on circumstances surrounding his emergence and installation, using influence as a former Assistance Inspector General of police, he brought in mobile policemen to maintain the peace and protect the palace and subsequently became inaccessible…that is the root of his problem with the people of his immediate locality” societynow.ng learned.

Societynow.ng gathered that after the free reign and open interaction immediate past Oba of Lagos Adeyinka Oyekan had with all and sundry, this was a strange development and brought silent resentments.

Multiple sources disclosed that the policemen overtime became unpopular with tales of different shades of brushes with the people of the locality.

They were deemed a law unto themselves societynow.ng learned.

“There was a time a particular team known as Red Kagol, because of their red berets was brought in. Those were extremely unpopular in Lagos Island, they were known for dealing mercilessly with people of the locality over issues solely determined and judged by them. But it was clear straying too close to the palace was a major offence” societynow.ng learned.

Insiders disclosed that it was amid this dread of the mobile policemen that Oba Akiolu expanded the palace in a move that swallowed parts of other people’s homes as well as the open space the immediate past Oba Oyekan enjoyed leisure time with those in the environs – and visitors.

“His swimming pool is built on a part of an open space that served as a car park” societynow.ng learned.

Societynow.ng gathered that the feeling of resentments against Oba Akiolu by his subjects is further fueled by claims of “what it takes to get his approval to put up any construction “ in that area.

Insiders disclosed that it didn’t help the situation that the chiefs and others who were very close to the palace during the reign of Oba Oyekan complain of sidelining by Oba Akiolu.

“The chiefs and other stakeholders in affairs of the palace are said to be angry that Oba Akiolu allegedly sidelined them in the running of things and talks of this merged with the unpopular actions of the mobile policemen created huge tension premised on claims of holding his subjects in a vice grip of power” societynow.ng learned.

The information at hand revealed that this was the situation before a policeman reportedly shot one of those protesting the shooting of unarmed #EndSars protesters at Lekki Toll-Gate.

“The reported shooting was the bursting point of suppressed anger. The invasion and looting of the palace of Oba Akiolu which stands condemned and unjustifiable, especially the taking away of his Opa Ase (symbol of authority) was the expression of the bottled-up anger of the people of his locality. Why his chiefs and priests and custodians of culture didn’t quickly step in to control the situation is clear, they wanted the Oba to know their value and showed their power by refusing to use their power” societynow.ng learned.

Insiders, however, revealed that after the sacrilegious act, stakeholders who are keen to avoid further degeneration of the situation and to protect the integrity of the throne have stepped in and initiated a process to make things right between the Oba and his subjects – his chiefs, people of his immediate locality and others.

“That is why you have seen talks of return of symbol of authority barely twenty-four hours to Oba Akiolu’s birthday and talks of appeasement and cleansing and all that” societynow.ng learned.