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By Adewuyi Adegbite
The ancient city of Oyo was agog on Saturday, April 5, 2025 when the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade 1 was crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom. The occasion was witnessed by creme de la creme in Nigeria and beyond.
Oba Owoade 1 had been presented with the instrument and staff of office by the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde, at the State Secretariat, Ibadan on January 13, 2025. Oba Owoade 1 is a man of destiny because he is not the choice of the Oyomesi, the traditional kingmakers in Oyo from the ancient times. But for the eagle eye of the Oyo state government, the prize could have been given to the highest bidder. Engineer Makinde has alleged that the kingmakers had received bribe from one of the contestants and that that dictated their choice. The governor made it known from the beginning of the process that Alaafin’s throne is not for sale.
The kingmakers were consequently drilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), though the findings of the commission was not made public. As a result, Engr. Makinde bypassed the Oyomesi in choosing the monarch. Not only that, the governor commissioned a renowned Ifa diviner, Professor Wande Abimbol, to divine on who, among the contestants to the throne, has the backing of the ancestors or qualified for the throne. It was the choice of Ifa, according to Wande Abimbola, that the governor appointed as the Alaafin, that is Oba Owoade 1. As a result, the kingmakers and their choice have headed to court to seek redress over what they termed illegal imposition of Owoade 1 as the Alaafin. Taken appearance for reality, the state government did the right thing by not allowing the throne of Alaafin to be bought.
However, the interference of the state government or over bearing influence of the governor on who becomes an Oba in Oyo State with total disregard for the kingmakers except where the choice of the traditional kingmakers tallied with the choice of the governor is unhealthy for our tradition and custom and this could lead to rancour in our towns as being witnessed in some towns in the state. In actual fact, this cannot help development of our towns.
In this case of Oyomesi, one would have loved the state government to follow the case of bribery leveled against the kingmakers to a logical end as that would serve as deterrent to others in their shoes. However, not doing this forced sceptics to conclude that Oyomesi is a victim of circumstance where a dog is given a bad name in order to hang it. Oyomesi had, since the ancient times, served as council of state in Oyo and they provided checks on Alaafin’s tendencies to be dictatorial. Their contributions to the evolvement of Oyo civilization could not be over emphasized.
Therefore, sidelining them in the installation of Oba Owoade 1 is unprecedented and this is why Oba Owoade 1 has to be very careful if he wants a rancour free reign. The above does not mean that previous installations of Alaafin were not without stiff competition but the free hand given to the Oyomesi to perform their functions made the difference. As a result, Oba Owoade 1 has to hit the ground running and as a matter of urgency reach out to the aggrieved section of Oyomesi and his co-contestants and extend olive branch to them for the sake of peaceful coexistence in Oyo, the institution of the Alaafin which Oba Owoade 1 has vowed to protect and preservation of the prestige and power of the Alaafin which is under threat from politicians in the state.
There is no doubt that Owoade ‘s immediate predecessor, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi 111 had set a precedent for the new monarch regarding the protection of Alaafin’s throne, promotion of the power and prestige of Alaafin, promotion of Yoruba culture and traditions which Alaafin is the custodian. These power and prestige of Alaafin is under threat from some nationalist politicians. As a matter of fact, Alaafin has no opposition to his status as foremost Oba in Yorubaland but in Oyo state. Governors since 2003 had bent on rewriting the history of Oyo State traditional institution using the power of the state . However, Oba Adeyemi 111 was equal to the task. He, no doubt, had prepared for the throne and being a student of history, had equipped himself for the task ahead. He developed himself academically; he built a strong network of relationships across board; he employed native wisdom and at times Court of law to tackle real and perceived enemies of the Alaafin, his prestige and honor.
Therefore, the greatest task before Oba Owoade 1 is how to sustain the legacies of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 and even surpass it. “Ajisebi Oyo laari, Oyo lo loba, Oyo lo ni Ade” are sayings that substantiate the power of the Alaafin and the Oyo town. Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi proved this to the consternation and envy of Oyo detractors and friends alike in his days. Traditionally, Alaafin’s institution in Oyo State is the foremost and her prime position is incontestable. Other leading Obas in the state are his brothers and lieutenants from Ile Ife which included Olugbon, Aresa, Onikoyi and Onpetu. Other Obas had Alaafin as their Baba Ogun at one time or another in their evolution. Others had Alaafin as father, mentor or benefactor. History is dynamic as those who wanted to rewrite history in Oyo state want us to believe. However, Yoruba adage says, “ko ni buru buru ki baba so wipe o di owo Omo ohun lorun”. Another says, ‘ “a ko ni so wipe aye di aye Oyinbo ki a mo fi oju egbo tele”. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 employed native wisdom and diplomacy to maintain his fatherly status among Obas in Oyo State in his days. His uprightness, defense of Yorubaland, brilliance and bravery made Oyo palace a beehive of activities – intellectual, political , religious and economic – in his days.
This equally promoted the throne and the kingdom. Oba Owoade 1 has a great task in his hands if Alaafin institution would continue to be relevant, maintain and sustain her prime position in Yorubaland and if the Oba would answer his title of Imperial Majesty which history, rather than politicians’ whims, has entrusted on the throne.
Writes Adegbite via ayekooto05@gmail.com
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