No doubt, the influence of Lebanese businessmen billionaires and so-called philanthropists, Ronald and Gilbert Chagoury, infamously known as the Chagoury brothers, in Lagos cannot be overemphasized.
In almost every sector, their presence is felt. From the banking sector, to the hospitality industry as well as real estate, they are big players and run their business from the busy streets of Lagos.
For years, they have successfully remained relevant in the scheme of things, albeit keeping a very low profile. Before the current dispensation, the brothers were known friends of late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.
When Abacha died, the smart guys promptly looked for his replacement among Nigerian political bigwigs, someone with the needed influence and connections. That was how they met former governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.
Through Tinubu, who later became their business partner, they widened their business empire, reaping the state and country of billions of Naira. Some of their partnership includes construction giant, HITECH, Eko Hotels, Eko Atlantic amongst others.
But recently, the brothers scored what may perhaps be tagged as their biggest point in Lagos; they successfully installed a first-class traditional ruler.
The death of the former Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abiodun Idowu Oniru created a vacuum no one thought the Chagoury brothers would be influential enough in deciding who the next occupant will be. But that was exactly what happened. They were very much involved in the consummation of the emergence of Prince Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru.
Though the kingmakers of the Abisogun ruling house had their anointed candidate in the person of Prince Hakeem Ajasa, the Chagoury influence which they wielded through their bosom friend, Asiwaju Tinubu, proved the deciding factor.
With multi-billion naira investment in the Ikoyi and Victoria Island corridor, a lot was at stake for the Chagoury brothers, hence their interest in who ascends the throne as the next Oniru of Iru land was very paramount.
They successfully intervened and with the support of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the deed was done.
Prince Ajasa who was eagerly waiting for an official announcement by the Lagos State Government that he was the Oniru-elect was prevailed upon by Tinubu to drop his ambition for the reason that his candidacy was going to be inimical to the business empire of his ‘business partners’ in that axis.
Tinubu did not only stop Ajasa from claiming his right to the throne, he went one step further to foist his former security aide and a three-time commissioner in the State, Gbolahan Lawal as the Oniru of Iruland.
Despite dissenting voices from the princes, princesses and kingmakers of the Abisogun ruling family, Tinubu not only had his way, but also had his say.
Gbolahan’s emergence raised a lot of eyebrow among traditional rulers in Lagos, but none was bold enough to challenge the ‘day light robbery’ which had the blessing of the Lagos landlord.
His ascension to the throne had come at a price, but it is the Chagoury brothers who are grinning from chin to chin and pouring champagne of yet another victory in support of their massive empire in the Centre of Excellence.
For sure, the surprise move by Ajasa to seek redress in court caught them unaware and no matter how the trend of events turn out, Lagosians are closely watching what is going on and how the influential Lebanese brothers, with the tacit support of Tinubu are turning our state into their enclave.
