Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko accuses veteran actor of usurping centuries-old stool, alleges family elders ignored established rotation
A simmering royal dispute within one of Lagos' most prominent families has erupted into the open, with Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko publicly accusing his cousin, veteran Nollywood actor Prince Jide Kosoko, of betraying family trust to claim the ancient stool of Oloja of Lagos.
In an emotional interview with PUNCH, Prince Abiola—who insists he remains the legitimate Oloja-elect—detailed a complex web of lineage, legal declarations, and what he describes as a calculated palace coup that denied his branch its rightful turn after decades of patient waiting.
A 200-Year History
The Oloja stool, Prince Abiola explained, predates the modern Obaship of Lagos and carries deep historical significance. It was first conferred on King Kosoko himself before he became Oba, and has been held by only a handful of successors since Kosoko's death in 1872.
Following a comprehensive chieftaincy inquiry in 1980 that lasted over a month, the late Governor Lateef Jakande signed a declaration in 1983 identifying nine ruling houses within the Kosoko dynasty. That declaration, Prince Abiola insists, remains the only legally recognized instrument governing succession.
According to the established rotation, his branch—the Olojo branch—should have produced the next Oloja. "Olojo has never been the head of the family before," he said. "In the course of negotiation within the family, the most famous photographer stepped down for Aminu to be crowned as Oloja. I'm from the branch of Olojo, and we have never been given any family position before."
The Accusation: Betrayal
The relationship between the two cousins, Prince Abiola said, was once warm. He described Jide Kosoko as an "egbon" (elder brother) and confidant with whom he discussed family matters freely—including his aspirations for the throne.
But that trust, he alleges, was exploited.
"When betrayers want to do things, they pretend as if they know nothing about the information that other people want to use against you," he said.
Prince Abiola claimed he first heard rumors in November 2025 that Jide Kosoko was being positioned for the stool. Twice he confronted his cousin directly; twice he was assured there was "nothing like that."
The announcement came last Tuesday. By then, it was too late.
'I Am Still Oloja-Elect'
Despite the palace announcement, Prince Abiola maintains that the proper legal and traditional processes were ignored. His nomination, he said, had already passed through family channels and was awaiting final consent from the Oba of Lagos and subsequent approval by the state government.
"We've concluded the process internally as the Kosoko family. Now, we have pushed the document to the local government, which is the consenting administrative office of the chairman," he explained. "The Oba of Lagos called us on April 1, 2023, and said he had the knowledge that there was an Omo-Oye of Oloja-elect. He said he would do the needful very soon."
The Oba's role, he stressed, is merely to consent to the family's choice—not to substitute a different candidate. "The Oba of Lagos is the traditional consenting officer whose duty it is to consent to the wishes of the family and take it back to the local government."
Family Elders Take Action
The dispute has now moved beyond personal grievance. Prince Abiola revealed that the head and general secretary of his branch—both men in their 80s—have instructed that the matter be taken to court.
"They told me that they had informed all appropriate people in the family, including Jide Kosoko. They insisted that it must be the turn of the Olojo branch of Kosoko to be declared the Oloja of Lagos."
Tensions have already spilled into physical confrontations. Prince Abiola said he received reports that supporters of the new installation had seized keys to the palace secretariat and beaten family members. He appealed for calm and urged his own family not to retaliate.
The Actor's Silence
When contacted, Prince Jide Kosoko declined to comment on the allegations, stating only that his position would be made known through his family representative.
For Prince Abiola, the path forward is clear: he will abide by whatever the court decides, and he remains hopeful that the judiciary will uphold what he believes is right.
"I know the current political dispensation understands the principles of the judiciary, giving out justice and doing what should be done. So, I'll follow the lead of my family."
A Museum at the Center
Beyond the throne itself, the dispute has touched tangible assets. Prince Abiola had invested personal funds in converting part of the palace into a museum, curating historical documents and artifacts that made it a tourist attraction. After the announcement, he removed those items for safekeeping—drawing criticism from some quarters.
But he is unapologetic. "Those things were personally funded by me. So, I needed to take them to their original place where I used to keep them."
The case now sits with the courts, but the deeper wounds may take longer to heal. Two cousins, once close, now find themselves on opposite sides of a chieftaincy battle that has exposed the fault lines within one of Lagos' most storied royal families.
For Prince Abiola, the pain is compounded by the source of the betrayal. "I'm between my own family and an uncle that I used to love."
For the Kosoko dynasty, the question is whether the crown can unite what division has torn apart.
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