Eletu Odibo

The Eletu Odibo historically served as the Chief Kingmaker who crowned the Oba of Lagos. As head of the Akarigbere class of chiefs, the Eletu Odibo served as the Prime Minister of the Oba of Lagos.

The Oba of Benin deployed a group of Benin officers along with his war captain, Ashipa to preserve Benin's interests in Lagos affairs. The Eletu Odibo was the head of this group who accompanied Ashipa to Lagos.

When the Ashongbon (Head War Chief) informs the Eletu Odibo about the vacancy of the Obaship, the Eletu verifies the vacancy by visiting Iga Idunganran. After confirmation, the Eletu returns to his sanctuary where he consults the Ifa Oracle with names of all eligible males from the Lagos Ruling Houses in order to receive a divine pronouncement. The Eletu and the Ashongbon then summon a meeting where the Obaship candidate is presented. Those who attend the presentation include: the Omo-Obas (Oba's children), the Ibigas (slaves), White Cap Chiefs, War Chiefs, and community representatives who owe allegiance to the Oba of Lagos.

A bitter feud between the Eletu Odibo and then Prince Kosoko erupted in the earlier part of the 19th century. Kosoko offended the Eletu by marrying a woman betrothed to Chief Eletu Odibo. Eletu Odibo, as Chief Kingmaker, took offense at Kosoko's arrogant decision and frustrated Kosoko's multiple Obaship bids in the years to come.

When Oba Osinlokun died in 1829, Kosoko's brother, Idewu Ojulari, became Oba and reigned from 1829 to around 1834/5, however Idewu Ojulari's reign was unpopular and at the behest of the Oba of Benin, to whom the people of Lagos had petitioned (Lagos was under Benin suzerainty up until the reigns of Oba Akitoye and Dosunmu who rebuffed payments to Benin), Idewu Ojulari committed suicide. Since Kosoko was now unacceptable to Eletu Odibo, the Kingmakers invited the exiled Adele home from Badagry to rule as Oba of Lagos for a second term.

Oba Adele's second reign terminated upon his death in 1837 and again, Eletu Odibo blocked Kosoko's accession and installed Oluwole, Adele's son.

The intensity of the Eletu Odibo and Kosoko feud increased with Eletu Odibo extending his vendetta to Opo Olu, Kosoko's sister, accusing her of witchcraft. The diviners found Opo Olu innocent however Oba Oluwole banished Opo Olu from Lagos. Some accounts indicate that Eletu Odibo executed Opo Olu by drowning her. Eletu's personal vendetta led Kosoko and his followers to pursue a failed armed rising known as Ogun Ewe Koko ("leaves of the coco-yam war") which resulted in Kosoko and his followers fleeing to Epe.Eletu Odibo then ratcheted up the hatred between both camps by digging up Kosoko's mother's remains and throwing her corpse into the Lagos lagoon.

...
Wikipedia