Eshugbayi Eleko

Oba Eshugbayi Eleko (died 1932), alias "Eleko of Eko", was the Oba of Lagos from 1901 to 1925, and from 1931 to 1932. His father was Oba Dosunmu. Eleko's struggles and legal victory over the British colonial government symbolized the struggle between indigenous rights and colonial rule in Nigeria. The outcome of the "Eleko Affair" led to the Eleko's deposition as Oba and deportation to Oyo between 1925 and 1931, years that some historians now call the "interregnum years", and that saw the reigns of Oba Ibikunle Akitoye (from 1925 to 1928) and Oba Sanusi Olusi (from 1928 to 1931).

Obaship

Oba Eleko succeeded Oba Oyekan I upon Oyekan's death in 1901 and was officially recognized by the British colonial government in Lagos under the governorship of William MacGregor. Those who lost out to Eleko for the Obaship in 1901 include Jose Dawodu, Oduntan, and Adamaja.

Eleko's opposition to the British colonial government's water tax

In 1908, the British colonial government (Governor Walter Egerton) proposed the introduction of pipe-borne water in Lagos (at a cost of £130,000) to improve sanitary conditions and argued that Lagosians should pay for the water scheme. Oba Eleko opposed the scheme noting that Lagosians could live off well-water and that it was the Europeans in Lagos who needed the pipe-borne water and that Europeans ought to pay for the water project. Despite the Eleko's objections, construction for the Iju Waterworks commenced and as a result, Oba Eleko instigated a protest of about 15,000 Lagosians on the Lagos Government House. Riots followed the protest and European shops in Lagos were looted.