Sometime around 1988, angered by what he perceived as disparaging comments, the then Olubadan, Oloyede Asanike, threatened to evict and ban Bola Ige, former Governor of Oyo State, from Ibadan. It didn’t take long before the Olubadan was gently reminded that he had no such powers.
I recalled this incident as I read through the Press Release from the Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo. In it, the Alaafin gave the Ooni of Ife 48 hours to withdraw the award of a chieftaincy title of “Okanlomo Odua” to a certain individual.
The statement is a continuation of the focus of Alaafin Owoade since he ascended the throne of his forefathers. He has made it clear, in words and in deeds, that his primary objective will be power grab. In the process, he has had running battles in his home State with the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso; and seemed determined to ignite a war with the Ooni over supremacy.
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Mercifully, the current Ooni has shown no inclination to engage. When he became Ooni 10 years ago, he announced that he was not going to focus on supremacy battles. To back this up, he went around visiting older colleagues across Yorubaland. He visited the then Alaafin, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Alake of Egbaland, Owa of Ijeshaland, and many others. He paid homage to them all and received their blessings. In his immediate domain, he also went to visit the Ogunsua of Modakeke, an act that has engendered peace and brotherhood in what had long been a volatile environment.
As the Yoruba, like other Nigerians and indeed Africans, grapple with the challenges of today’s world, from security to economy, it is embarrassing that attempts are being made to force us to fight, all over again, the supremacy battles of centuries past. In this wise, Alaafin Owoade’s actions since his coronation has left a lot to be desired.
What is his development agenda? What programmes does he have to unite the Yoruba people to take on the issues of Education, Healthcare, Sustainable Development, Economic Growth, Moral Decadence etc? How much truth has he ventured to tell the political class about the challenges of his people? These should be his and every traditional rulers’ concern.
If he needs an example, there is Oba Adedokun Abolarin of Orangun Oke-Ila to guide him. That is an Oba investing in the future through free education in his small space. He even finds time to teach in the school he set up. Imagine an Alaafin, with his greater reach and prestige, replicating same and the multiplier effects it will likely have.
Governor Seyi Makinde made a bold but controversial decision to discard the recommendations of the Kingmakers of Oyo and appoint the current Alaafin. He was hailed for it, given the reasons he adduced. While the matter of the appointment remains in court, it is doubtful if the Governor expected to be dealing with the frequent stream of negative news from Oyo. He may now need to have a quiet word with the man he appointed.
