Three years ago, a former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, politely declined the honour of a chieftaincy title from a royal father, Oniru of Iru land, Lagos, Oba Abiodun Oniru. Then, his reason was that the task of governance required absolute focus and he didn’t want any distractions. He promised to join the monarchs at the appropriate time.
Now, it seems he is now a ‘Shehu’.Recently, when Fashola paid a condolence visit on the late Deinde Fernandez’s daughter, Teju Phillips, a mild drama ensued. As his Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle was driven into the compound, scores of political associates, mostly women, hailed him and the shouts of, “Shehu, Shehu,” rented the air.
He smiled as he entered to greet Phillips, who was once a commissioner in Lagos State. After spending 15 minutes with the family, he bade them goodbye and made for the door. Then, the women appeared again. Some stood by his vehicle, wore cheerful faces and chanted, “Shehu, Shehu.” This time, the grey-haired Senior Advocate of Nigeria doled out some cash to them.
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