Lagos -Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba AbdulFatai Aromire Oyegbemi, has formally stripped six of his chiefs of their traditional titles for attending a Labour Party political campaign rally without his consent.
The monarch made the announcement in a public notice dated June 29, 2025, citing gross misconduct and insubordination by the affected chiefs. Those dethroned include Chief Lateef Ojora, Chief Saliu Biliamin, Chief Taiwo Hassan, Chief Idris Ojora, Chief Hakeem Oseni, and Chief Sule Balogun.
According to the palace, the six chiefs allegedly attended the political rally in the Apapa area of Lagos where they were seen representing the Ojora Palace in official capacities, an act the monarch described as “unauthorised and politically misleading.”
“The affected chiefs knowingly violated the traditional institution by participating in partisan politics on behalf of the Ojora throne without approval. Their actions are against the core values of neutrality expected of the traditional institution,” the palace statement read.
The Labour Party rally in question was part of the campaign efforts in Lagos State ahead of upcoming elections. Their presence, according to palace sources, created the public impression that the Ojora and Iganmu royal family had endorsed the political party — a move the monarch quickly disclaimed.
Oba AbdulFatai emphasized that his palace remains non-partisan and will not allow any chief or palace representative to compromise the integrity of the throne for political purposes.
The dethronement has sparked reactions in traditional and political circles, with some praising the monarch’s decision as a bold move to protect the sanctity of the traditional institution from political interference.
As at the time of filing this report, the dethroned chiefs have yet to publicly respond to the action taken by the monarch.
