Located on top of Mapo Hill, the highest point in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Mapo Hall in the heart of the city is a symbol of the ancient’s key roles in Nigeria politics. No campaign in Ibadan is complete without one at the historic hall, but after each of such campaigns, the residents are often left with a bitter-sweet story to tell. BISI OLADELE reports.
One of several historical monuments that dot Ibadan, the Oyo State capital is Mapo Hall, built on a one and half acre of land on Mapo Hill by the British colonialists between 1925 and 1929.
Historically the seat of successive local administrations in the city since the colonial era, the hall has hosted various meetings, mostly political, bringing the leaders face to face with their people.
From hosting small town hall meetings, Mapo Hall over the years has grown bigger in stature to playing host to mega rallies of political parties. The city itself has assumed the position of the political capital of south west Nigeria.
From the era of the political titans of the past down to the present generation of politicians, the hall has been like a Mecca for every people seeking the votes of the millions, not only in Ibadan or the other parts of Oyo State, but the rest of Yoruba land. A good showing at Mapo could be a sign of acceptance by the people, while failure to draw a large crowd is often seen as a sign of imminent defeat at the polls.
For its central location, the hall offers an excellent view of all sides of Ibadan, revealing a sprawling city of tattered roofs. The hill is in the heart of habitation of low income locals, such as Beere, Oje, Oranyan, Oja’ba, Bode, Agbeni, Oke Aare and Aremo.
After passing from one government ownership to another, the hall is now one of the properties owned and managed by the Ibadan Local Governments Properties Company Limited, a company jointly owned by the 11 local governments in Ibadan land.
Since the pre-independence era, the biggest political rallies of all parties in Ibadan have been held at Mapo Hall. All national, regional and local political leaders have at various times, campaigned there, addressing crowds of locals and elite living in and outside the city.
Whenever anyone seeking national political office, such as the presidency, comes visiting Ibadan for campaigns, Mapo Hall is the first choice due to its political importance and the large crowd it could draw. As such, any major politician who has not campaigned at Mapo Hall feels unfulfilled.
By implication, famous political statements either about themselves or opponents are made at Mapo, thus adding to its strategic importance.
Though the hall is widely known for its political importance, many residents have their houses around the hall and have been living there for decades, witnessing the huge campaigns. The hall also borders the abandoned Olubadan (Oba’s) palace and the popular Oja’ba market, situated at the foot of the Mapo Hill. The traders, mostly dealing in raw food items, also occupy the open spaces and shops in the houses opposite and beside the hall. There are also small supermarkets and soft drinks sellers.
These are the people that often suffer or enjoy the fallouts of these campaigns whenever the politicians come for their rallies. So, how do these residents and traders cope with life around Mapo Hall?
When engaged, the residents and traders disclosed that political activities at the hall pose a threat to their peace and business but were quick to add that they also enjoy the privilege of watching notable political figures without hindrance, a privilege they cherish.
The Pains
A resident, who also runs a telephone call centre in front of his house opposite the hall, Mr Taiwo Kareem, explained that residents panic whenever the political parties visit for their campaigns. He said they do not open their shops for the day, adding that they sometimes endure the violence unleashed by their supporters.
He said: “The campaigns affect most of us, though it has become part and parcel of residents and traders here. We are used to it. We already know that these big campaigns come here every four years. Sometimes, they install their big banners which cover our shops and we don’t complain.
“But if they just come and go peacefully, it would be okay. They sometimes cause violence, attacking people unreasonably. For example, when the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Seyi Makinde came here about two weeks ago, the hoodlums attacked one another, forcing policemen to fire teargas canisters to everybody. It hurt our aged parents that were in the house who never came out to witness the campaign.
“Besides, these politicians also leave a lot of dirt behind. When we resume shop after their campaigns, we always clean the environment because the local government staffers don’t usually come to clear it early enough.”
In her own comment Alhaja. Mojinasola Raufu, who sells onions opposite the hall, said crowds climb their houses to gain a good view of political leaders addressing the rallies. To her, they are unwanted visitors but who they cannot chase away. “We are accommodating in our culture,” she said.
She also decried the violence that sometimes follows the campaigns but said the hoodlums do not attack residents.
According to her, her house is usually occupied by police one day before campaign day to mount surveillance while Department of State Security (DSS) men also come to install gadgets to monitor the rallies.
She also expressed her dislike for having to close shop during every political rally.
For Alhaja Akinyele, the story is the same. The woman, whose house is directly opposite the hall and sells yam flower in front of her house, said the rallies sometimes leave a sour taste. She recalled that this year alone, crowds destroyed tables and other furniture she uses in her shop while trying to climb the building. She showed our correspondent a vandalized bench and table.
Two other traders also expressed concern about violence and having to close shop during rallies.
A soft drink seller in the area, Madam Fatimat Solaja also complained that thugs break her bottles to fight whenever fight breaks among them during rallies.
They all said that political parties do not give them money to compensate residents and traders.
The gains
But all of the traders and residents agreed that the location of their houses or shops gives them a unique opportunity to see and listen to great politicians across the nation, live! They do not have to struggle to see them at the rallies.
“You see, it’s a good thing for us to see people like Buhari, President Jonathan, Baba Adedibu, Alao-Akala, Rashidi Ladoja, Ajimobi and other top politicians live without having to struggle.” Solaja said.
Besides, she disclosed that every rally provides an opportunity to record higher sale in spite of the fact that some other soft drink sellers bring their wares to the rallies.
Mr Kareem also confirmed that a lot of young men and women become emergency traders on rally days, selling drinks and fast food that are on high demand at the rally ground. They also sell souvenir items to party supporters who attend the rallies.
