How Aremo Oniru Destroyed His Political Clout And Goodwill

A popular Haitian proverb says, “Deserve, do not ask.” In most situations, men born to privilege ask and demand things which they do not deserve and this character flaw usually become the undoing of such men. Aremo Olusegun Oniru learnt this the hard way after the 15th Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, (Abisogun II), was installed.

For years while his father was king, he got all he wanted on a platter of gold and life couldn’t be rosier. Not only did he believe he was the beloved heir to the throne, after he was made Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development in Lagos State under the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration, many indigenes and citizens of Iruland complained that the Oniru scion did nothing for the good of the people.

Many would remember that even with his status as a prince of the land, he had been opportune to hold positions like that of Special Adviser to Governor of Lagos State and later the Hon. Commissioner for Housing. This was all before his time as Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development. Aremo Oniru indeed led a charmed life.

According to those in the know, he had believed that not only would he remain in the corridors of power till it was time for him to become king, he would continue to be the toast of the people irrespective of his actions.

Unfortunately for him, fate had other plans as the moment his father passed on, the Oniru throne became embroiled in a dispute that lasted months.

The installation of the new king became the bitterest of pills to swallow for the embattled prince and he began to do battle with the chosen one of the gods, Oba Gbolahan Lawal.

The saying that those whom the gods wish to destroy they first, make mad became true in Aremo Oniru’s case as from that point, he became like one on a landslide of failure, making one misstep to the other.

In the last few weeks, he, alongside his brothers, Tijani and Ademola Oniru had been involved in a couple of altercations with palace staff on an errand for the king that resulted in them being beaten in a manner unbefitting of royalty.

His floundering actions have been credited to his displeasure at the installation of a new king on the throne. Now that he isn’t king, he’s fighting tooth and nail to ensure that the properties of Iruland stay with him and his brothers instead of seeing to the common interest of the land by working with the new Oba.

His actions have lost him quite a number of friends and allies as his recent conduct have been deemed a provocative affront to the authority of the Oniru and desecration of sacred tradition.