HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land, holds a prominent position as the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs in the Epe Division Kings. His leadership and dedication to his community have made him a respected and revered figure in Lagos State.
As the Oloja of Epe Land, Oba Animashaun plays a crucial role in preserving the culture and traditions of his people. He ensures that the customs and values of the Epe community are upheld and passed down to future generations. Oba Animashaun also works tirelessly to promote unity and cooperation among the various tribes and ethnic groups within his jurisdiction.
According to the letter by Lagos State House of Assembly’ Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,that recently declared Alara of Ilara ,HRM Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo,Telade (IV) ,as the Permanent Vice -Chairman,Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Chairman,Epe Division Council of Obas and Chiefs,which surfaced recently on Social Media; the Epe Division Council of Obas and Chiefs,in her Monthly Meeting presided over by HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, at Epe Local Government,on Tuesday,May 13,2025,has rejected the declaration of the Committee.
According to the council,Oba Ogunsanwo,since his enthronement,has not joined the council’s meeting and whoever is not admitted into the council,is not recognized as a member.
Aladeshonyin of Odo -Noforija Kingdom,HRM Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja, said,” There was a time the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,invited our Chairman,the Oloja of Epe,HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun,based on the petition written to the committee,by Alara of Ilara, HRM Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo. We all felt the matter was not that of Oloja, alone,so,we all went to the Assembly. When they saw us they could not do anything or say anything;we were surprised to see that letter on the Social Media. If the committee wants to consider the petition of Alara,we the stakeholders must be carried along. Besides,it is the Executive Governor,that is supposed to write this council, if there is any change as regards the leadership of this council.”
Chief Yesiru Dada,the Agbon of Epe Land, who brought the matter to the council, following a recent event graced by the Executive Governor of Lagos State,Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwoolu,in Epe,where Alara and Oloja sat tightly beside each other ,after a lot of argument between their subjects and the State Protocol Officers ,on seats arrangement , considering the
order of protocol; noted,”Any Oba that has not been admitted and inducted into this council, is not regarded by any member of this council as an Oba,and cannot come near the seat of our highly revered Chairman,the Oloja of Epe Land. Therefore, Alara of Ilara, should not be allowed to disrespect our Chairman,we don’t want the reoccurrence of that disrespect and embarrassment meted to him recently, while appreciating the Governor for making necessary adjustment on his arrival.”
The Elejinrin of Ejinrin Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Balogun,who also condemned what happened at the said event and the letter by the State Assembly; agreed with the submission of Alayandelu of Odo- Ayandelu Kingdom, HRM Oba (BLDR) Aderibigbe Asunmo,that the council must write the House Committee. He therefore selected Oba Ogunlaja,Oba Aderibigbe,Oba Abdul of Orugbo, Chief Agbon and Balogun of Ejinrin Kingdom,as 5-Man Committee to work on the letter of reply to the House committee’s within a week,to know why it took such decision without involving all the stakeholders and sending the letter to the appropriate quarters,but only flying on social media.
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1 comment
The recent video statement by Aladeshonyin, Alayandelu and their cohorts during the Ẹpẹ Division Council of Obas and Chiefs meeting is deeply unfortunate, misinformed, and entirely inconsistent with both historical tradition and the extant laws of Lagos State governing the Institutions of Obaship and Chieftaincy.
It is necessary to state emphatically that both the *Permanent Vice Chairmanship of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs* and the *Chairmanship of the Epe Division Council of Obas and Chiefs* are *not matters for negotiation or popularity contests*. These positions are *permanently ascribed to the revered throne of the Alara of Ilara just like the other Divisions of the State*, and this has been the case long before the current occupant “HRM Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo (JP), Telade IV, the Alara of Ilara-Epe ascended the throne. The roles are tied to the *Institutions*—not to the individual—and are backed by the *Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law*, which outlines the structure, composition, and hierarchy within the Council.
Those behind the said video statement, whether out of ignorance, selfishness, misinformation, or other motives, which their meeting was filled with frivolities, should be reminded that Chieftaincy matters are not governed by sentiments, group alliances, or media propaganda, but by *legal and customary protocols* which are well documented and established.
It is regrettable that Personalities like Aladeshonyin, Alayandelu, Elejirin and their cohorts, possibly under undue influence or personal bias, would issue such a misguided video statement without due recourse to the statutory framework and the historical order that has guided the leadership of the Epe Division Council for decades. Such assertions reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the law and tradition, and should be disregarded as baseless.
We therefore urge all concerned parties and the general public to remain guided by *truth, law, and tradition*, and not be misled by statements lacking in both authority and accuracy.
The throne of the Alara remains a cornerstone of leadership in Epe Division, and its lawful position within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs as Permanent Vice-Chairman stands unshaken.
*To the mischief makers and their sympathizers: it is wise to desist from the keeping and circulation of misleading information. There is due process for everything, and wisdom dictates that one seeks clarity from lawful and authentic sources rather than resorting to public misinformation. Let reason, respect for the law, and reverence for tradition prevail in all matters relating to our revered institutions.*