The fight is extremely intense over who becomes the next Oniru, the king of Iru Land in Victoria Island, Lagos state.
And it is between just two major contenders, Prince Akeem Ajasa and Aremo Adesegun Oniru, the eldest son of immediate past King Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru.
Aremo Oniru is seeking to succeed his father against the laid down agreement of rotating the throne among the three ruling houses in Iru Land – Abisogun, Akiogun, and Ogunyemi.
Aremo Oniru is from the Akiogun ruling father. He wants to take the throne after his grandfather and father (the later based on consensus by ruling father in recognition of efforts to regain lost land) had ruled back to back
Aremo Oniru is making the bid based on strong political connections he possesses in Lagos state and enormous social and economic influence in Iru land and its environs.
Aremo Oniru is a senior member of the innermost caucus of powerful politician Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A power broker in his own right, Aremo Oniru enjoys the support of other Tinubu loyalists such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat in the fight to succeed his father as Oniru.
Tinubu, currently the most visible and influential politician in the southwest is acknowledged as the deciding factor in who becomes the next Oniru of Iru Land.
Iru Land hosts some of the premium investments, particularly real estate of the ruling class in Lagos.
Prince Akeem Ajasa, a Chief Superintendent of Police is from the Abisogun ruling House and the family that was prevailed upon to step down for Aremo’s father to rule by general consensus.
Though not as powerful as Oniru in wealth and connection, Prince Ajasa is backed by powers that dwarf Oniru when combined.
The Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu – a major influence in the Tinubu camp – is ferociously backing Prince Ajasa.
Oba Akiolu claims to be making the move on the principle of fair play, that the agreement of rotating the crown should be stuck to and Ajasa allowed to take the crown.
The Oba of Lagos is said to be galvanizing other traditional rulers in the state to insist on the principle of rotating the crown in choosing the next Oniru.
Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola is also rooting for Ajasa.
Prince Ajasa was Aide De Camp to Aregbesola when the latter was the governor of Osun state for eight years.
Societynow.ng gathered Aregbesola is backing Ajasa to take the Oniru crown because ‘’it is what is fair to do’’.
Deeply religious Aregbesola is the second most influential player in the Tinubu political family.
Societynow.ng learned that Aregbesola has become even more powerful as the presidential ambition of Tinubu gathers steam.
Another top player, the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila is also backing Ajasa. Prince Ajasa is the current Chief Personal Security Officer to Gbajabiamila.
Insiders disclose that within the Tinubu political family where the real decision would be made. Ajasa appears to have a bigger influence based on the numbers of top guns backing him.
Societynow.ng, however, gathered that Asiwaju Tinubu has refused to show his hands but has subtle passed a message that if Aremo Oniru could make Prince Ajasa an irresistible offer to concede the throne, he would support him but if Oniru failed to achieve that ‘’there is little he could do to help him out’’.
Societynow.ng gathered that Prince Ajasa has resolutely refused to negotiate with Oniru or his agents.
Source: societynow.ng
