Would you agree that the eleko affair in lagos politics was a struggle between the elements of conservatism and modernisation?
No it is not. It is more a issue of power struggle and courting
influence. The Oba, Ehugbayi Eleko could no longer rely on his
traditional Council because of the in-fighting between Yesufu
Omo-Oba and Obanikoro both of whom had been courting influence from
the colonialist. Oba Eleko had in the circumstances relied more on
the elites, Herbert Macaulay and the ILU Committee to guide him. It
was his reliance on this group that led to the partisan support of
Eleko on the water agitation and Muslim war that led to the
suspension, reinstatement and loss of recognition and deportaion of
Eleko to Oyo. His eventual reinstatement was due to the british
government's intransigence in pursuing a loss cause the celebrated
interview of Herbert Macaulay to the Daily Mail which they misread
that Eleko is the titular King of Nigeria rather than what he said
that he is the king recognised by all Nigerians.