LG Chair Suspends Monarch Installation, Sallah Prayers
LG Chair Suspends Monarch Installation, Sallah Prayers
Chairperson of Epe Local Government Area in Lagos State, Surah Animashaun, has suspended the installation of a new Olu of Epe following a leadership tussle involving two contenders to the royal stool.
The move also includes the cancellation of this year’s Eid-al-Kabir and Jumat prayers at the Epe Central Mosque and Eid Ground in Oke Balogun.
In a letter to the community’s Grand Chief Imam on Tuesday, Animashaun stated that the two contenders—Chief Adeniyi Kadri Odedeogboro and Chief Iskilu Olajide Ikuforiji—have both been parading themselves as the newly installed monarch after the death of the former king, Oba Shefiu Adewale, on May 31.
She described the dual installations held on June 2 as “legally null and void” and stressed that the action was taken to avert possible security breaches and unforeseen incidents from followers of both claimants.
Her statement reads, “High Chief Adeniyi Kadri Odedeogboro and High Chief Iskilu Olajide Ikuforiji both parading themselves as the newly installed Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom are hereby suspended till further hearing from the authorities.”
She also announced the cancellation of Eid celebrations “due to unforeseen circumstances , security concerns, public health issues and all,” urging residents to await further updates.
Oba Shefiu Adewale, aged 86, was confirmed dead on Saturday and buried later the same day.
Before becoming king, he held the title of Otun-Balogun, later Balogun, before ascending the throne.
