In the early 1960s, the traditional stool of the Olu of Agboyi suffered a significant institutional setback, shaped largely by the fierce political contest of the period. At the height of the rivalry between the Action Group and the NCNC, the stool was downgraded from first-class status, known as Akarigbere, to second-class recognition. This demotion was not rooted in tradition or conduct, but in the raw politics of the era.
At the center of the controversy was the younger brother of the then Olu of Agboyi, HRH Aderemi Isa Durosimi. He was widely known in Ikeja as the late Alhaji Ganiu Seriki of Seriki Aro Street and a firm supporter of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and the NCNC. Political records and oral accounts from the period suggest that the Action Group failed to secure even twenty votes on Agboyi Island, a clear indication of where local loyalty lay.
The fallout was swift and severe. In a climate where political allegiance often dictated administrative decisions, the traditional institution bore the cost. The Olu of Agboyi paid the ultimate price for this alignment, as the stool was officially demoted, altering its standing within Lagos traditional hierarchy for decades.
Today, that chapter has been decisively closed.
History has been corrected through executive action by His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who has approved the restoration of the Olu of Agboyi stool to its rightful first-class status. The decision represents more than a ceremonial upgrade. It is a symbolic acknowledgment of historical injustice and a reaffirmation of the dignity of Agboyi’s traditional institution.
The restoration crowns the reign of His Royal Majesty, Oba Mao Oladega IV, as a defining moment in the modern history of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA. It stands as a reminder that while politics may bend tradition for a time, history has a way of finding balance.
Congratulations to the monarch, the people of Agboyi, and all custodians of its heritage on this landmark restoration.
Story credit: Degababa Degà
