MC Oluomo moves a step closer to becoming Oba of Oshodi after several families accept him

CHAIRMAN of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transit Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo has moved a step closer to becoming the Oba of Oshodi after several royal families approved his candidacy.

Controversial in the extreme. MC Oluomo is renowned for leading groups of NURTW members to carry out work for politicians. During the 2019 elections for instance, he was accused by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in a petition, of leading a group of armed thugs to disrupt polling in Lagos.

Oshodi, a Lagos suburb, used to have a Baale but now there are moves to install a monarch with MC Oluomo becoming the front runner, due to his high public profile. In December, Chief Kabiru Eyantan, the head the Olushi Onigbesa royal family, said MC Oluomo is not eligible to be appointed as Oba of Oshodi and appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to halt the move.

Chief Eyantan said: “We plead with the Lagos State government to avert a communal crisis, breakdown of law and order and bloodshed in Oshodi community. To put the record straight, we state that the tribunal of inquiry into chieftaincy matters in respect of the upgrading Baale of Oshodi to first class Obaship status was set up by Lagos State government and lasted between January 2003 and December 2008 and the tribunal recommended that the Olushi Onigbesa royal family of Oshodiland is the only family eligible and entitled to the stool of the Oba of Oshodi.

"Alhaji Akinsanya is not a member of the Olushi Onigbesa royal family in Oshodi land and has no right to the Oba of Oshodi stool. Therefore, he is not eligible to aspire or to be appointed to the stool of Oba of Oshodi.”

However, yesterday, after a series of deliberations among members the Arota and Ologun royal families, a joint body representing them gave MC Oluomo the all-clear. Yesterday, those present at the meeting organised by the Oshodi regent Alhaji Biliaminu Akinola, included the Dawodu, Almaroof, Odebisi, Ajenifuja, Akesode, Afariogun, Shonibare, Kupoluyi and Owosheni families.

After hours of deliberation, the highpoint of the meeting was the joint resolution that Alhaji Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo of the Almaroof family should be the next Oba of Oshodi. It now remains for the kingmakers to officially pick him and for Governor Sanwoolu to confirm the appointment.