The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alaafin

  • Oyo kingmakers trade words over selection of new Alaafin

    Oyo kingmakers trade words over selection of new Alaafin

    The sharply divided kingmakers in Oyo, Oyo State yesterday traded words on the selection of a candidate Prince Lukman Gbadegesin.

    The seven kingmakers, who also double as members of the Alaafin-In-Council, are otherwise known as the Oyomesi, three of them have insisted that Prince Gbadegesin was improperly selected, describing his nomination as “ inconclusive, improper, and defective,” stressing that it cannot stand.

    They posited that aside from the fact that the appointment of two warrant chiefs who joined the healthy five kingmakers to select Gbadegesin was defective, the Ifa oracle was not consulted in his selection as is the custom in the ancient town.

    According to them, the defect in Gbadegesin’s selection was responsible for why Governor Seyi Makinde directed the Oyomesi to undertake the exercise again by following due process.

    Their position was contained in a statement signed by the trio – High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo), High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) and Chief Olusegun Odunrinde (Baale Ajagba).

    Read Also: Allow us present sole candidate for Alaafin stool, royal houses plead with Makinde

    The statement read in part: “ The complaints against the appointment of the warrant chiefs are predicated on the ineligibility of the two warrant Chiefs, the first being the Are Ago Basorun who is a Sub-Chief, appointee and a puppet of the Basorun of Oyo. And with regard to Chief Alapo, is number six in the hierarchy of chiefs to the Alapinni of Oyo while Number two in the hierarchy is Baale Ajagba who was ignored in favour of Chief Alapo because Baale Ajagba is a man of principle who cannot be manipulated or coerced in working against the common interest of Oyo people.

    “From time immemorial, Alaafin of Oyo had been chosen by having recourse to consultation of Ifa Oracle. Ifa Oracle complements, guides, and directs the proper candidates to be chosen for the vacant chieftaincy stool of the Alaafin of Oyo, this has not been done.

    “The position of Alaafin of Oyo is not for the richest, most educated, most popular but to the person whose tenure and reign would bring peace, harmony and engender growth and development of Oyo town. This goes beyond the ordinary knowledge of the kingmakers but includes recourse to the supernatural in the form of consultation with the la oracle.

    “The issue of the composition of Oyomesi with regard to the eligible persons to participate in the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo has not been settled. The governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde as a listening, responsible, and responsive governor is interested in due process and not in any particular candidate.

    “Concerned about the delay in the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo, the governor held a meeting with the members of the Oyomesi and specifically informed them to follow due process in the nomination and appointment process and to perform their function freely without coercion or intimidation because the government of Oyo State is only interested in the best candidate for Oyo town and Yoruba land.

    However, the faction headed by the Basorun, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola who heads Oyomesi, argued that the appointment of the warrant chiefs followed due process, stressing that the seven kingmakers unanimously chose Gbadegesin after which his name was forwarded to Makinde for approval and announcement.

    The faction further explained that all the seven kingmakers signed the letter nominating Gbadegesin, adding that Makinde did not reject his candidature.

    The statement read in part: “What they failed to tell the people was that warrant chiefs are appointees of government and not those of Oyomesi. They are appointed on the recommendation of the local government. For example, to fill the vacant position of Ashipa of Oyo, Atiba Local Government applied to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters that the position needed to be filled to select a new Alaafin. The council thereafter proposed three names and Aare Ago was picked. The ministry wrote a letter appointing him as warrant chief. I didn’t appoint him.

    The immediate past Alaafin Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III joined his ancestors in April last year after a 52-year reign.

    Nine royal families which have not enjoyed access to the throne are also in court to compel the government to allow them to join the race.

  • Alaafin stool not for sale – Makinde

    Alaafin stool not for sale – Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Friday said the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo is not for sale.

    He said the state government would do everything possible to protect the stool adding that anyone who might have given money to anyone because of the stool will be sent to the anti-graft agency.

    Makinde said, he would not only refer such people to the Oyo State Anti -Corruption Agency (OYOCA), but would personally take such individuals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He urged the people of Oyo town, particularly those jostling for the stool to embrace peace so that the next occupant can be announced, just as he did with the approval of the new Aseyin of Iseyinland.

    Makinde spoke at Iseyin during the official opening of the Iseyin Campus of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin.

    The event had ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Special Guest of Honour to unveil the commemorative plaque and commission the project.

    The governor had earlier commissioned the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road project. He also led Obasanjo and the team to inspect the Fashola Farm and Estate along the Oyo-Iseyin Road.

    Makinde noted that if those fighting for the Alaafin stool should embrace peace, it would be a lot easier for someone to be selected.

    He said: “And before I leave here, some people are abusing me that I have not chosen some monarchs. I have chosen that of Iseyin and I look forward to coming back for the coronation and the presentation of instrument of office to the new Aseyin.

    Read Also: Tinubu heads to New York Sunday for UN General Assembly

    “You people in Oyo, you can see now that we have linked Iseyin with Oyo and it will take 22minutes.

    “You too should stop fighting so that we can have peace to choose the new Alaafin.

    “Some people might have collected money from someone, Alaafin stool is not for sale. It is so important to Yorubaland that we won’t sell it.

    “Anyone who might have gone to collect money, I won’t take them to OYACA, I will take them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the man who started the EFCC is here seated and I am saying in his presence.”

    In his remarks, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo commended the governor for the efforts saying the importance of a good road network to economic development cannot be over-emphasized.

    He said the governor had with the projects set a standard for good governance in the country, noting that democracy that brings about development is what people will embrace.

  • UPDATED: Alaafin stool is not for sale, Makinde declares

    UPDATED: Alaafin stool is not for sale, Makinde declares

    Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde on Friday, September 15, said the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo is not for sale.

    He said the state would do everything possible to protect the stool adding that anyone who might have given money to anyone because of the stool would be sent to the antigraft agency.

    Makinde said he would not only refer such people to the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYOCA) but would personally take such individuals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He urged the people of Oyo town, particularly those jostling for the stool to embrace peace so that the next occupant can be announced, just as he did with the approval of the new Aseyin of Iseyinland.

    Makinde spoke in Iseyin during the official opening of the Iseyin Campus of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin.

    The event has ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo as the special guest of honour to unveil the commemorative plaque and commission the project.

    The governor had earlier commissioned the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road project.

    He also led Obasanjo and the team to inspect the Fashola Farm and Estate along the Oyo-Iseyin Road.

    Speaking in Iseyin, Makinde said if those fighting as regards the Alaafin stoll should embrace peace, it would be a lot easier for someone to be selected.

    Not particularly mentioning any name, the governor said anyone who might have collected any money from any contenders for the stool, such a person will be made to face the wrath of the law.

    He said: “And before I leave here, some people are abusing me that I have not chosen some monarchs. I have chosen that of Aseyin and I look forward to coming back for the coronation and the presentation of the instrument of office to the new Aseyin.

    “You people in Oyo, you can see now that we have linked Iseyin with Oyo and it will take 22 minutes. You too should stop fighting so that we can have peace to choose the new Alaafin.

    Read Also: Makinde swears in 29-year-old, one other as commissioners

    “Some people might have collected money from someone, Alaafin stool is not for sale. It is so important to Yorubaland that we won’t sell it.

    “Anyone who might have gone to collect money, I won’t take them to OYACA, I will take them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the man who started the EFCC is here seated and I am saying in his presence.”

    In his remarks, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo commended the governor for the efforts saying the importance of a good road network to economic development cannot be over-emphasized.

    He said the governor had with the projects set a standard for good governance in the country, noting that democracy that brings about development is what people will embrace. 

  • Alaafin stool is not for sale, Makinde declares

    Alaafin stool is not for sale, Makinde declares

    The Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde on Friday, September 15, said the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo is not for sale.

    He said the state would do everything possible to protect the stool, adding that anyone who might have given money to anyone because of the stool would be sent to the anti-graft agency.

    Makinde said he would not only refer such people to the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYOCA) but would personally take such individuals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He urged the people of Oyo town, particularly those jostling for the stool to embrace peace so that the next occupant can be announced, just as he did with the approval of the new Aseyin of Iseyinland.

    Read Also: ‘Why Alaafin’s throne is attractive’

    Makinde spoke in Iseyin during the official opening of the Iseyin Campus of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin.

    The event has Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Special Guest of Honour to unveil the commemorative plaque and Commission the project.

    Details soon…

  • SWAGA’23: Alaafin was firm believer in Tinubu’s ambition

    SWAGA’23: Alaafin was firm believer in Tinubu’s ambition

    The South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA’23) yesterday mourned the passage of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors at the age of 83.

    In a statement by its national chairman, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, and National Secretary, ‘Bosun Oladele, SWAGA’23 described the late monarch as an encyclopedia of Yoruba history and rallying-point for the advancement of the Yoruba race and unity of the nation.

    The statement reads: “The entire membership of SWAGA’23 under the leadership of Senator Dayo Adeyeye will sorely miss the departed icon and legendary traditional ruler of Oyo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Iku Babayeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, whose transition was announced on Saturday April 22, 2022.

    “Oba Adeyemi, being the longest serving Alaafin of Oyo, was a symbol of Yoruba culture and tradition.  He was an encyclopedia of Yoruba history and displayed very rare ability for recollection and knowledge of Nigerian history, current affairs and global events.

    “The late Alaafin had depth and very sound communication skills, hence there was never a dull moment in the palace during his reign and time.

    “We in SWAGA’23 will forever cherish the moment we had with Oba Adeyemi when we visited the Oyo palace on December 14, 2020, to discuss the possibility of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency come 2023, particularly his express support for Asiwaju Tinubu’s presidential project and his prayers to God to make it a reality. We shall continue to hold on to his admonition that ‘our hands are on the plough, we must not look back’.”

  • Democracy must thrive, says Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi  111,  has urged Muslims to reflect on the Eid and invoke the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

    In his Id El Kabir message,  Oba Adeyemi said it is imperative to remember that Eid al-Adha symbolizes piety.

    He said: ‘’This act of godliness, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), calls for perpetual sober reflection, submission to the will of Allah, and sincerity of purpose from all of us. as directed by Allah.

    The paramount ruler advised  Nigerians to cooperate with government in its efforts to restore security.

    Read Also: Alaafin of Oyo congratulates Ganduje over victory

    He said: “What we require to overcome our own peculiar trials and earn similar monumental blessings permanently is total and unquestioning surrender to the will of Allah in the conduct of our daily affairs”.

    ”The various threats to security, as well as the numerous forms of corruption bedevilling our society and the resultant implications of these for the economy are nothing but results of lack of consciousness of ultimate accountability to God, especially in the life to come. This is also true of the mistrust that hinders cordiality among our various ethnic and religious groups.

    ”What we need, as a nation, are sincere, concerted and sustained efforts towards propagating the kind of God-consciousness demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.”

    Oba Adeyemi said these virtues   will guarantee lasting solutions to  the challenges confronting the country.

  • Alaafin: talking straight to Buhari

    Sir: Earlier in the week, our much revered monarch Oba Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo woke up this slumbering nation with his direct communications with President Buhari. Historically regarded as a cultural icon whose dynasty and reputation goes back to centuries, the Oba has now assumed a counseling and political pinnacle hitherto unknown in Nigeria. To start with, we thank the Oba for offering us the opportunity to know about ourselves, especially the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. I am sure the Yoruba in Diaspora – Benin Republic, Togo, Liberia and some parts of the West Indies Islands would be proud of the continued leadership role which the Yoruba race has assumed in West Africa.

    It is appropriate for a leader, cultural or political to come out at critical stages of a nation to lay bare the status of the nation and the problems confronting it. (Mind you, I refuse to use the current fanciful word ‘challenge’). The problem which has risen to its present form started in 1914 when the major nationalities in this part of West Africa were forcibly knitted together in an incoherent, sometimes an irreconcilable political entity. Today, the stark reality of it is that there is virtually nothing we can do about it than to go along, ‘patch-patching’ all the way.

    In his exposition, the Alaafin, now a political pundit, identified issues that are confronting the nation, offering possible resolutions. He did not fight shy to speak the truth and to sound a note of warning on all the issues he identified. For example He said “the massive destruction of farms and crops planted on them, the new wave of Fulani, pretending and disguising as herders have unleashed a reign of terror on Yoruba land. They destroy crops; they kidnap men and women, violate and rape our women, right in the presence of their husbands”.

    Going further, the monarch reveals that “In Yoruba land, we are scared and worried about the outrageous audacity and effrontery of these criminal elements in carrying out their activities and without any challenge by security operatives”.  The most revealing, indeed alarming, assertion by the Oba “is that till now no major arrest of the terrorist and killers had been made in Yoruba land. Suspects cannot be paraded, let alone arraigned”.

    Without boasting, but speaking the harsh truth, the Oba told the government that the Yoruba had what it takes culturally, and traditionally, to defend themselves. Apart from latter day artificial creation like Oodua People’s Congress, every community and kingdom in Yoruba land has a traditional way of defending themselves and their land. Remember the Kiriji War involving the alliance of Ijesa and Ekiti against the Ibadan invaders in the later 19th Century?

    #Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has not raised an unnecessary alarm; he is not on a war path, he considers himself part of this administration, and his letter shows that he is willing to be part of a peace process if need be. It is not often that a natural ruler comes out strikingly as the Oba has done. He shows the commitment and patriotism of a true Nigerian. Obviously, there may be many Adeyemis in Nigeria who have the facts but lack the audacity and commitment to tell these facts as they are, not confronting government but looking for cooperation and peace.

    There is one issue which the Oba referred to but not with that emphasis that it deserves. That Nigeria is currently enjoying international attention and that everything must be done to advance this new international position which continued internal insecurity and ethnic suspicion could erode. In Africa, Nigeria has continued to show that it is not only the most populous country but also the largest economy. For sure, a large part of our population is in abject poverty. This is part of the burden we carry since 1914 and it cannot be overcome overnight. For now one may ask, is it out of place to put into motion a legal process by which a commission would be established to try and check the excesses of the destroyers of our nation?

    Nigeria will even assume a bigger perception if these criminals who attempt to pollute and destroy our nation are seen to be brought to book and punished according to our law. For now we must admit that most Nigerians do not understand the role being played by security forces and the judiciary. The silence is deafening and something quick must happen to persuade Nigerians that there is no conspiracy against the Nigerian state by these two important institutions.

     

    • Asiwaju Deji Fasuan; MON, JP Ado-Ekiti.

  • Traditional rulers working to tame kidnapping, says Alaafin

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has assured the people that the spate of kidnappings will soon stop in the next few weeks.

    He gave the assurance yesterday after he led members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs to a closed-door meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his Agodi Government Office, Ibadan.

    The monarch, who refused to state the strategies and plans being put in place by the traditional rulers, noted that the members of the council decided to visit the governor to intimate him of their plans and strategies on the security challenges as the chief security officer.

    Some of the traditional rulers, who accompanied the first class monarch include the Eleruwa of Eruwaland, Obas Samuel Adegbola; the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Abdulganiy Salaudeen; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun among other eminent traditional rulers and chiefs from across the state.

    Fielding questions from reporters after the meeting, Alaafin noted that the traditional rulers and chiefs were up and doing in their various domains.

    He added that everything the traditional rulers were doing must be done with the consent and approval of the governor and the security agencies to finally nail kidnappings in Oyo State.

    He said: “We cannot act independently of the government and other security agencies and that is one of the issues we have discussed with Governor Abiola Ajimobi as the chief law officer.

    “We must all be very careful. We don’t want to reveal the strategies and plans we have yet. These kidnappers are also in our midst and we are working with various security agencies and other apparatus of government to see that this thing is nip in the bud.

    “Traditional rulers are making efforts in our various domains, but we are been careful and that is why we have come to talk with our governor, being the chief security officer of the state.

    “We cannot do anything behind him without telling him our plans and for him to be aware and approve. There are some things we want to do and we have told him and we want him to approve all that we have come up with as plans and strategy and for him to make inputs.”

    The Alaafin added: “One of the good things about it is that this current Governor Ajimobi is the one that restored peace and security back to the state and there has not been lawlessness and brigandage in the last eight years of his reign and he also uses the state security apparatus in the interest of the state.”

    Receiving the visitors in the company of the members of the State Executive Council earlier at the executive chamber of the office, Ajimobi thanked the traditional rulers for their support to his administrations over the years.

    He noted that despite the level of rot he inherited from past administrations, his government remained focus to record all he could by the grace of God.

    “Before I became the governor of this state, the situation I met and inherited obviously from the previous administrations was gross insecurity. There was hardly a place you can peacefully pass within Ibadan.

    “I want to give thanks to God and people of the state for the opportunity I was given to serve them for a complete eight years. This is indeed worthy of showing gratefulness to Him and the people. Despite ups and downs, we remained the longest-serving governor in the history of the state.

    He expressed optimism that the incoming government would sustain the peace and security being enjoyed in the state for the past eight years while highlighting his administration’s achievements in all sectors since assumption of office in 2011.

  • Why I didn’t pray, vote for Makinde in 2015, by Alaafin

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, yesterday explained why he neither prayed nor supported the Oyo State governorship candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Seyi Makinde, in the 2015 election.

    Makinde was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 poll before defecting to the PDP.

    The PDP gave its ticket to one of Oba Adeyemi’s sons as its candidate for the House of Representatives in Oyo in the February 16 National Assembly poll.

    The incumbent House of Representatives in Atiba/Afijio/Oyo East and Oyo West Constituency is also Alaafin’s son, Prince Akeem Adeyemi.

    He is contesting for the third time on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Alaafin, who advised Makinde to relay to the people of the state what changes he planned to make on the lives of the people, also recalled what he told him years ago.

    Welcoming Makinde and his PDP campaign team on a tour of Oyo to his palace yesterday, the Alaafin urged him not to abuse anybody during his campaigns.

    On the fact that he once advised the PDP candidate to allow Governor Abiola Ajimobi complete his second term four years ago, Oba Adeyemi said: “It’s true that Makinde came to me and I said I wanted Ajimobi to do a second term. I told him not to worry himself, that I would not vote for him and won’t pray for him.

    “He asked me again and I said ‘I won’t lie to you’. Let him serve his eight years. Is that true or not? If I travel to the United States of America (U.S.A), Makinde will call me on phone and express appreciation through gifts. Makinde was doing so times without number.

    “Tell me a politician that does that? With this I am saying I have not told anybody in Oyo to either vote for Makinde or not.

    “I told him to relax four years ago; apart from that, we have a relationship which is devoid of politics.”

    Addressing members of the town’s highest traditional decision-making body, the Alaafin said: “Oyomesi, this man keeps to his words. If he tells Oyomesi that he is coming tomorrow evening, if he cannot make it, he will put a call through that it’s not possible again. He would apologise and fix another appointment. He won’t disappoint. It will be good if he can replicate that in politics.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Alaafin of Oyo in contemporary Nigerian politics – 4

    The Alaafin must have paid a fortune to lawyers over the various cases he had had to take to court if not on political supremacy with the Ooni but also on who owns the land of Oyo with Asipa of Oyo who claimed his family owns the entire new Oyo settled by Atiba in 1830. He also went to legal battle with the Soun of Ogbomosho over their territorial boundary as well as who had consenting authority over such towns as Ifon, Iresaadu and Ikoyi in the territorial jurisdiction of the Soun even though history links them with the Alaafin throne.  In most of the legal battles he waged against his opponents, he sometimes went to the national archives in Ibadan to search for documents to validate his position. The Alaafin may not have a string of degrees but he possesses deep knowledge to make appear as a “philosopher king “. The Alaafin has been known to quote in certain public speeches from the holy Bible, the Koran and Ifa odu demonstrating intellectual eclecticism.

    When Osun State was carved out of Oyo and the Ooni then became permanent chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, the Alaafin was then faced with competition with the Soun of Ogbomosho and the Olubadan of Ibadan. In Yoruba tradition, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomosho were not the equal of the Alaafin. But today both Ogbomosho and Ibadan are much bigger than Oyo and by the size of their population they deserve recognition, but by culture and tradition of the Yoruba, they must follow the Alaafin and not lead him. An analogous situation to this is the prickly relations between highly populous and wealthy Kano and small Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate, yet Kano defers to Sokoto. When a regime of rotational chairmanship was put in place to accommodate the Soun and the Olubadan, the Alaafin refused to participate in what he considered infra digitatem and hence the shut down of Oyo State Council of chiefs and Obas for years. It will remain shut down until there is a policy based on historical facts and legacy to guide whoever wields political power of the moment. There was even an attempt by a civilian governor to raise the status of Asipa to that of a king. This muddling of history did not fly. Many of the questions the Alaafin has had to contend with have not been settled and laid down to rest and perhaps will not be settled soon until we go back to find acceptable solutions based on our history and culture. The Abacha dictatorship tried unsuccessfully to humiliate the Alaafin to force him to support his regime against the interest of the Yoruba people by impugning the integrity of the Alaafin. This was a testy period especially when the same Abacha had no qualms in engineering the removal of Ibrahim Dasuki as Sultan of Sokoto.

    The last 48 years in Oyo has seen tremendous progress and achievements. The education front has witnessed remarkable progress. Many secondary schools have been built. There is a federal girls’ school and college of special education as well as the Oladipo Alayande College of Education. There is a private Atiba University at an embryonic state and there is Bishop Ajayi Crowther University in full bloom. Oyo is linked to Ibadan by an expressway which will soon reach Ilorin. There are other roads linking Oyo with the upper Ogun area thus making Oyo the centre of a thriving agricultural area. There is need to invest in the hospitality business and to build excellent hotels which are still few and far between.

    The present Alaafin has been well recognized by the federal government which at one time made him the Amir-ul – hajj of the annual pilgrimage by Nigerian Muslims to Mecca. This is the first time a Yoruba leader or Oba has been so recognized. The Alaafin was also at one time chancellor of the University of Sokoto. The status of the Alaafin remains formidable and the present young Ooni of Ife Oba Ogunwusi in visiting the revered ruler and breaking whatever historical taboo against such an act of camaraderie has ensured that a new beginning has begun in the Alaafin of Oyo’s relation with Ife and thereby laying the basis of unity in Yorubaland. One fact that remains is the dichotomy in the politics of Yorubaland namely the divergent Awolowo and Akintola traditions. For good or ill, the Alaafin has found himself pulled to the side of the Akintola tendency perhaps willy-nilly because the Awolowo tradition has pigeonholed him into that tendency.  He has had to tread softly in order to avoid falling into the trap of enemies made by him and those inherited by the son of whom he is and the position he holds. His political allies have always been those on the conservative tradition of Yoruba politics. Among these were Chief M. K. O Abiola whom he made the Are ona Kakanfo and the likes of the late Arisekola Alao and Adedibu. His recent elevation of the relatively young Ganiyu Adams as Are ona Kakanfo has not gone down well with the Yoruba elite who feel the title is demeaned by the fact that Ganiyu Adams has not proved himself even though he is able to mobilize the youth for action if needs be. The Alaafin will argue that it is because of that ability to mobilize the youth that makes his appointment right for these times. Surprisingly, the Alaafin has remained aloof to the demand for the creation of either a new Oyo State or Oke Ogun State perhaps not being sure such a state will have Oyo town as its capital. It is usually said that traditional rulers should stay away from politics but it is however difficult for a person holding the position of the Alaafin to avoid politics completely when by the nature of the history of Yorubaland, politics remains an essential part of any Alaafin’s DNA.

     

    • Concluded.