…Azubike, others were apprehended by the Lagos State Police while attempting to host a ceremonial unveiling of a proposed N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos”.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The arrest of 65-year-old Chibuike Azubike for allegedly parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos” has sparked intense debate across Nigeria, with reactions ranging from ethnic outrage to calls for cultural consistency.
Azubike, along with three associates, was apprehended by the Lagos State Police while attempting to host a ceremonial unveiling of a proposed N1.5 billion “Palace of Obi of Lagos” at Apple Hall in Amuwo Odofin. The arrest has since escalated from a law enforcement action into a full-blown national discourse on ethnic coexistence and cultural rights.
While some Lagosians and online commentators described the planned coronation of Obi of Lagos as provocative and an affront to Yoruba traditional institutions, others argue that the move was a symbolic cultural exercise, no different from what is already accepted across the country.
One of the most compelling voices came from Dr. Ope Banwo, popularly known as the Mayor of Fadeyi, who took to X.com to challenge what he called a “double standard.”
“WHEN YORUBAS HAVE OBAS IN KANO, ENUGU, AND AWKA… WHY OPPOSE AN OBI IN LAGOS?” he wrote, listing at least seven cities outside Yorubaland where Yoruba communities have installed their own “Obas” with full recognition by host communities.
Dr. Banwo, a self-described Yoruba prince, cited examples such as the Oba Yoruba of Kano, the Oba of Yoruba in Enugu, and the Oba of Yoruba in Awka, arguing that if Yoruba migrants can enjoy cultural autonomy in Igbo and Hausa territories, then the same right should be extended to Igbos in Lagos.
“These titles are symbolic, cultural, and community-based,” he emphasized. “They serve to unify migrant communities, not divide Nigeria.”
The post, which has since gone viral, ignited a wave of support and criticism alike, with hashtags like #ObiOfLagos, #CulturalHypocrisy, and #RespectAllTraditions trending nationwide.
Critics, however, argue that the situation is not so simple. “Lagos is not just any city,” wrote one commenter. “It is the cultural and economic nerve center of the Yoruba people. Installing an ‘Obi’ here is more than symbolic, it’s a statement.”
The Lagos State Police Command, meanwhile, has defended its actions, stating that the arrest was necessary to prevent public disorder and protect citizens from being misled.
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said:
“We will not tolerate any acts that seek to exploit our cultural institutions for personal gain or cause ethnic unrest. The suspects will be charged once investigations are complete.”
Still, the debate rages on.
For many Nigerians, the arrest has reopened old wounds about identity, belonging, and the limits of cultural expression in a multi-ethnic federation. While some call for strict adherence to territorial traditions, others insist that in a country as diverse as Nigeria, coexistence must include the right to cultural representation even in lands far from ancestral roots.
As one social media user put it:
“The question isn’t whether there should be an Obi in Lagos. The question is: Do we want a Nigeria where everyone feels seen and respected or one where our unity is only on paper?”
The case against Azubike and his alleged accomplices is still pending, but the larger issue may prove harder to resolve. For now, the ‘Obi of Lagos’ saga remains a mirror to Nigeria’s unhealed fractures and a test of its commitment to unity in diversity.
