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By: Manoah Kikekon
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| HRM Oba Sejiro James |
HRM Oba Sejiro James, the Aholu of Kweme kingdom, Badagry Lagos, has denied a report trending that he installed Seriki Fulani in Badagry after Badagry residents reacted furiously to the news.
The traditional ruler in a press briefing on Wednesday in Badagry said he was invited to the installation like other Obas present at the event.
The news of Oba Sejiro at the coronation of Seriki Fulani went viral on Tuesday, leading to many Badagry residents calling for the reason behind that, asking if he has the authority to do such a thing and if the Badagry people can also get traditional titles in the northern part of Nigeria.
Aholu Of Kweme said he was shocked reading the news article, as it is not possible for one king out of 16 obas in Badagry to install the Seriki Fulani over them.
Related News: Seriki Fulani installed in Badagry, monarch calls for unity
He further explained that the turbaning of the Seriki Fulani was conducted by the representatives of Sarkin Fulani of Lagos and the Chairman Council of Fulani Chiefs, Southwest, which had been taking place before his arrival at the venue.
The trending picture of me presenting him beads was necessary because the Seriki emanated from Sito Gbethrome under Kweme Kingdom. Said Oba Sejiro
"I wasn’t the only King present, neither was I the only king asked to advise him at the occasion," he said.
Oba Sejiro said Fulani in Badagry had their history of installation for decades.
"In their brief history of installation in Badagry, the first Seriki Fulani in Badagry, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, was installed in early 1960.
"After his death, Alhaji Umar Umaru Mohammed was installed in 1981 while another Seriki, Alhaji Usman Umar, was installed in 2012.
"I have no authority out of 16 kings to install Seriki Fulani in Badagry,“ he said.
Before now, various reactions have trailed the social media, one user simply known as Shadrach said, "Go to the Igboho community and listen to their story. Installing seriki Fulani means if any Fulani man committed an atrocity, he would not be taken to the oba of Badagry; rather, he would be taken to their seriki Fulani, and meanwhile, sharia law that can guide them is not in existence in Badagry, so which law will guide them?".
Wande Desmond, in his comment, said, "This is worrisome, honestly. How can this be?"
On X, Malcolm Imirhobo, a prominent lawyer, said, "Lagos ruler installs Seriki Fulani in Badagry. Confusion everywhere... He should have also given him the staff of office."
But the monarch has come out to say he only presented the beads to him because the Seriki is under his kingdom, noting that he is not instrumental to giving the title.