By Bilesanmi Abayomi
As the 2025 local government elections approach, the influence of the Bashir Oloruntoyin Saliu Royal Family of Oworonshoki Kingdom, led by HRM Oba Babatunde Saliu (Elebo II), is set to shape the contest for the Oworonshoki councilorship seat.
Historically, the royal family has played a significant role in local politics. The late Oba Bashir Oloruntoyin Saliu (Elebo I), who passed away on August 31, 2021, saw his son, Hon. Kehinde Saliu, serve as councilor of Oworonshoki from 2017 to 2025. Now, all eyes are on the reigning monarch to determine whether another member of the family will step forward to contest or if he will anoint a preferred candidate.
Oba Babatunde Saliu, a seasoned politician before ascending the throne, previously served as Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, later becoming a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Vice Chairman of Kosofe Local Government. His deep-rooted political experience and connections make him a key figure in the upcoming election.
During the 2023 general elections, as observed by KosofePost, the monarch was actively involved in mobilizing residents to exercise their civic rights rather than remaining within the palace. This demonstrated his commitment to political engagement and grassroots influence.
With the election fast approaching, political analysts believe that if no member of the Saliu family declares interest in the councilorship race, Oba Babatunde Saliu will still have a decisive hand in selecting who represents Oworonshoki. His endorsement could heavily sway the outcome, reaffirming the royal family’s longstanding impact on Kosofe and Lagos State politics.
WHATSAPP REACTIONS
His Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Oloworo of Oworo stands a political icon cum major power broker within his ward and Kosofe Lg at Large. That’s reality.
Any oversight of the above reality is at their peril….
Ka ri Kabiyesi Alayeluwa pé, pé, pe
Thanks, Kosofe Post
Taiwo Lasisi,
President,
Ta’awun Political Forum,
Lagos
[2/7, 2:23 PM] He doesn’t have a say in who becomes the next Ward B Oworonsoki Councillor.
Engr. Olusola Emmanuel ADEDAYO, MIAENG
Publisher/CEO, MOSCHINOBLOG
[2/7, 2:41 PM] He is very influential, a major player and a key factor in the upcoming Local Government election especially in Oworonshoki Ward B.
Lanre Aborisade
[2/7, 2:58 PM] The involvement of our royal fathers in local politics by our political class is unhealthy and disrespectful to the exalted royal stool, over the years the Yoruba traditional institutions have suffered a lot of infractions in the hands of political leaders ranging from manipulation and bastardization of selection process which has produced various misfits on the esteemed thrones.
Hence it is imperative and expedient to remind our traditional rulers who ought to be bridge builders and focus more in bringing peace and tranquility to their domain rather than using the prestigious royal crown to dabble into murky water of politics.
I think at this point,the intricacies and science of politics should be left with the politicians to battle while the royal stool should maintain the custodian of tradition and cultural heritage status.
Oloye Salami Oluwaseun
[2/7, 5:59 PM]
Oloye Salami sir, hope you don’t jettison the fact that all men, irrespective of their social status or whatever nomenclature appendixed to them, are political animal ?
According to Aristotle, “Politics, Book 1, Chapter 2, Man is by nature, a Political animal”. Then, be it Emperor, Cleric, Diviner, teacher, preacher, prophet, learner, name them, they’re first, POLITICAL, and then, their “supposed royal crowns” , preachers, diviners, or what have you.
Thus, for this reason, any human factor can come in to influence anything – the forthcoming or the Future political dispensation, Oworonshoki, Kosofe Lg or Nigeria at large.
However, as it is natural to man, we have cause to be timid of certain power or political bloc when our political interest is at stake…
Gratitude, Oloye Salami sir…
Taiwo Lasisi,
President,
Ta’awun Political Forum,
Lagos
Oloworo was ex-Vice Chairman to Kosofe Council Chairman, Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe. He is career politician whose interest cannot be glossed over as far as his domain is concerned.
- Niyi Soyebo ( publisher)
concerning this, sir, let see it from this angle
**don’t forget that the king is the number of citizens of his community , he will not fold his arms until things get spoiled.
**don’t forget the king is a politician already he understood the rudiment of the game, the last election he walked round his community to make sure things are going fine also canvassing people to vote for the party, aside from the monetary aspect before ,during and after the election. now he should not be part or influence his Ward councilor election
** If the king should not be part or influence to the next councilor election in his own kingdom or Ward
then tell us the right of some people that are not indigene of the community but do influence
who has the right the most the king or the non indigene ?
Eyin Agba le ni pe
ti idi ba baje toni idi nio da
from my own side, he can influence but positively
*Hamzat*bh