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Tag: throne

  • Will deposed Emir reclaim his throne?

    He was deposed in 2005 by the government of Adamu Aliero in Kebbi State and exiled to Nasarawa State. His offence, according to the administration, was  insubordination and “reckless statements”.

    Life in exile was bitter for the ex-Emir of Gwandu. Al-Mustapha Jokolo, once an ADC to General Muhammadu Buhari, was once quoted as saying that guards, during his solitary confinement, were not permitted to even speak with him.

    The case went through several twists an turns before a High Court in Kebbi put him out of his worries. Justice Abbas Ahman on December 11, 2015, ruled that Jokolo was wrongfully deposed and that his removal was a violation of the law. The judge also declared as null and void, the appointment of Muhammad Iliyasu another retired Senior Army officer as the 20th Emir of Gwandu and ordered the immediate reinstatement of Jokolo as the substantive Emir of Gwandu. The decision of the court elicited wild jubilation in and around Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, especially from Jokolo’s supporters.

    While prosecuting his case, Jokolo had told Journalists that he would continue to fight for his right in court until justice was done, adding that the only settlement he wanted regarding the case was for the current Emir to vacate the Palace in Gwandu and allow him to take his rightful office. He was confident that the judgment at the end will be in his favour, pointing out that he was unjustly removed from office by the Adamu Aliero administration. He recalled how the Kebbi State government sent the state Commissioner of Police to inform him of his suspension without any formal letter, thus marking the beginning of his ordeal.

    He said, “We have seen genuine democracy in countries like the USA, in England and in India where people’s rights are respected. What happened to me was unjust and I will never forgive that”.

    Before the High Court verdict, Jokolo was awarded N30,000 as damages by the Court of Appeal which ordered that the case be retried at the High Court.

    There are indications that the state government may appeal.

    Aminu Usman, Permanent Secretary at the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice, said the state government would study the court’s decision and could go as far as the Supreme Court to fight the judgment of the court.

    Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Rabiu Garba Kamba, however, appealed to the people of Gwandu Emirate and those in the state to remain calm, assuring that the state government would appeal the case before three months at the Court of Appeal.

    He also urged the people not to take the law into their hands over the court pronouncement.

    Jokolo, ascended the throne of Gwandu Emirate in 1995 after the death of his father. And was dethroned ten years later by Governor Aliero over several allegations including abandoning his throne for Kaduna and at one time relocating to Kaduna with his family. While explaining the decision to dethrone him, the then Commissioner for Information in the state Mohammed Ambursa, said the governor acted based on the powers conferred on him by Section Six of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) law of the state.

    Ambursa continued, saying, “In addition, he was said to be having high disregard and disrespect for constituted authority as represented by his travelling outside his domain without official permission from the state and or local governments.”

    Will Jokolo return to the throne or will more twists and turns keep him out still?

  • Eight years on the throne

    Preamble

    Time flies. Eight years ago when His Eminence, Dr.  Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, CFR, mni ascended the Sokoto royal throne as the 20th Sultan was like yesterday. The historic date was November 6, 2006. Until then, the lofty man’s name did not ring any bell in Nigeria. And he was probably not conscious of the royal blood in him. If he was conscious of that at all, his humble nature did not reflect it. But the thinking of man is quite different from the will of Allah. And when the thinking of man clashes with the will of Allah, the latter automatically prevails.

    For Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, ascending the throne of the great Sokoto Empire was like the rise of the sun anon meridian. When it beams its rejuvenating ray, all the stars in the galaxy take their bow.

    History and man are like Siamese twins. The one cannot do without the other. History makes man just as man makes history. And the reciprocal baton continues to change hands between them as long as they remain in existence.

    Thus, the sudden emergence of the 50- year-old Brigadier General Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar as the successor to the exalted throne of the great Sokoto Empire without controversy came as a surprise to many Nigerians. His own father, Sultan Sadiq Abubkar ascended the same throne at the age of 37. Surely, the name ‘Muhammad Sa‘ad’ played a significant role in the emergence of its bearer as Sultan.

    The Mystery in Name

    There is something mysterious about name which humanity is yet to comprehend fully. A puzzling secret seems to exist in the vocabulary of life which sticks to every man like a second skin. That secret, pearled in the yoke of name, is an effective evidence of destiny in man. Our names are the light that glows at night to lighten up our ways through the threshold of life. And when the dawn comes to render the glowing light ineffective, the bearer bows out into the recluse of death leaving behind an indemnified signature on the sands of time.

    This was the case with Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the greatest man that ever lived on the surface of the earth. Even as an unlettered son of Arabia who was born in an era of blatant ignorance, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) introduced into the world, an unprecedented civilisation that opened the eyes of humanity to everlasting guidance. In recognition of his human exemplariness, the Almighty Allah said of him in Q 33: 21 thus: “You have a good example in Allah’s Apostle for anyone who looks to Allah and the Last Day and remembers Him always”.

    When Name Matters

    The name Muhammad which means ‘Praiseworthy’ was never known to be borne by any prominent person in Arabia before the birth of the Prophet. And no other person of prominence was known for bearing that unique name in Makkah and its environs until after his call to the office of Prophet-hood when Muslim parents started naming their children after him in emulation of his exemplariness.

    Today, at the mention of Prophet Muhammad anywhere in the world, everybody around responds with thunderous traditional chanting of ‘Salla Llahu alayhi wa sallama’ meaning: ‘Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him’. The chanting is even sometimes done unconsciously by some non-Muslims.

    Peculiarities in Name

    Sultan’s first name is Muhammad which he bears in emulation of the Prophet. His second name is Sa’ad meaning ‘Good ‘Luck’ which makes him a name-sake of one of the Prophet’s disciples (Sa’d bn Abi Waqqas) who was a great Army General of Islam. And his (Sultan’s) surname is Abubakar which means ‘father of youths’, a name which he shares with the first Caliph in Islam (Abubakr Siddiq). In every one of these names is a profound meaning with profound influence on the personality and conduct of the current Sultan. As an Army General, like Sa’d bn Abi Waqqas, Sultan is demonstrating the courage of a brave leader. As the father of the youths, like Abu Bakr, he bridges the gap between leadership and follower-ship by breathing a breeze of hope into Nigerian Muslim youths.

    Identity of a Leader

    A leader is known, neither by the aura of the office he occupies, nor by the enormity of the power wielded in that office. Rather, a leader is known   by the magnanimity with which he exercises the power entrusted to him and the humility he demonstrates in his interaction with the people. This is the lesson that Prophet Muhammad’s leadership taught Muslim rulers in one of his Hadith when he said: “A powerful person is not the one who can suppress others (with the instrumentality of office) but the one who can resist the temptation to use such power”.

    Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar seems to have exemplified this prophetic teaching as a Muslim ruler and a faithful one for that matter. And through his humble interaction with all Muslims in Nigeria irrespective of tribal or geographical boundaries, he has become the first Sultan create a strong feeling of a united Muslim Ummah in Nigeria under a competent leadership.

    Reorganisation

    At his instance, the Abuja National Mosque has been reorganised in such a way that no Muslim part of the country feels neglected again.

    Today, the Friday sermon in that Mosque is not only delivered in the three major languages (Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba) in addition to Arabic and English, three deputy Imams were also appointed to join the Chief Imam in rendering the Jum‘at sermon in rotation every Friday. These Deputy Imams were from the North, the Southwest and the Southeast respectively.

    Besides, a number of committees have been set up to take charge of certain necessities concerning the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the National Mosque. These have given the Nigerian Muslim Ummah the needed comfort with which to surge ahead as a single body of believers.

    His Eminence’s Itinerary

    By speaking out incessantly against policies which may seem to deliberately impoverish ordinary Nigerians, irrespective of tribes or religions, Sultan Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar has brought a lucky era to this country and the Muslims are the luckiest for it. Such a leader deserves absolute allegiance, loyalty and regular prayer from the followers.

    Besides, the itinerary of his Eminence’s exemplariness is not limited to Nigeria. He has severally been invited as guest speaker on interfaith and conflict resolution as well as peace management in many international fora, including Harvard University in the United States and Oxford University in Britain. And in all these, he has proved to be a worthy leader indeed. Today, he is on the list of the 50 most influential Muslims in the world on which list he ranks 16th.

    It thus becomes obvious that with a very solid military background combined with a unique diplomatic experience and a modern global exposure, this Sultan has become a millennial royal Captain divinely designated to pilot the affairs of Islam and the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

    Philosophers’ Theory

    Philosophers who assert that every new century has a way of producing a great leader may be right after all. The example of His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, is a manifestation of that assertion. Ever since he assumed the exalted royal office eight years ago, this great man has convincingly exemplified all the qualities of genuine leadership by all standards. Every statement he has made socially, religiously or politically and every action he has taken privately or publicly has proved to be a school from which all well-meaning people have learnt one lesson or another.

    Attestation

    An American President, Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), once described a true leader as “a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don’t want to do and like it”. This is an axiomatic attestation to Sultan Abubakar’s centenary leadership. Through his activities and functions so far, His Eminence has proved Truman right by demonstrating to Nigerian Muslim Ummah that this is the right time for the reformation of the Sultanate and the unification of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

    When he first assumed office in 2006, His Eminence hinted that the Sultanate would be put on the internet to enable all educated Muslims have access to their leader.  And in this age of computer, can anyone lay claim to any serious information or knowledge without adequate access to the internet? That is why he decided to start the reformation of the Sultanate through the instrumentality of the internet. And as an exemplary leader, he personally demonstrates his intellectual prowess with mastering fingers on the computer.

    Education as Law

    In Islam, education is the first law. That was why the very first Qur’anic revelation to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ordained education thus: “Read in the name of Allah who created; He created man from clots of congealed blood; Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, Who taught man by the pen; He taught him what man did not know…”Q. 96:1-4. And to further emphasise the compelling need for education in Islam, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said “knowledge is a lost treasure. All Muslims should look for it and pick it wherever they can find it”.

    Without education there can be no information. And without information there can be no knowledge. By implication, this means that without knowledge, there can be no progress for humanity. That is why the Sultan started his reformation of the Sultanate from the premise of education. It is only with education that most problems in this world can be solved without much ado. The Sultan also believes that education without social harmony is like a virtue without value and that there can be no harmony in a society where people are overwhelmed by ignorance and penury as is the case with Nigeria. Thus, he has consistently championed the campaign for both.

    Sultan as Chancellor

    At his first convocation as the 6th Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University in   November 2010, His Eminence told the crowd that the current socio-economic indices in Nigeria were a clear indication that the country had begun to drift. He lamented the dwindling standard of education and the growing rate of poverty in the land despite the nation’s unprecedented wealth which he said had failed to aid national development.

    In his words: “…Corruption has emasculated our progress even as poverty and unemployment have pushed citizens to the brinks thereby fuelling social conflicts and inter-communal crises which have extracted heavy toll in both human lives and property….”. He went further by saying: “Persistent insecurity has generated panic and anxiety; our social and physical infrastructures are far from meeting the needs of the nation; the country appears to be adrift and at the core of all these is moral decay engendered by ignorance and greed.”

    To further emphasise his fervent belief in education, he also noted that the reform of the tertiary education sector could not be effective without putting in place the required progressive developments at the basic and senior secondary education levels. He insisting that: “our state governments, especially those of the North, must begin to realise the enormity of the challenges facing the education sector and take urgent and necessary steps to address these challenges.”

    That is a renascent Sultan for you, a man who is at the topmost echelon of the tree of comfort but feels so much concerned about the condition of the peasants who feel deliberately consigned to the weeding of shrubs at the bottom of that tree by the system in place.

    At home in Nigeria, he has never relented in his advocacy for good governance and denunciation of corruption and religious intolerance just as he has consistently campaigned for religious peaceful coexistence at the international fora.

    At Interfaith Conference

    When he was invited in January 2010 as a Special Guest of Honour to a religious seminar organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with the theme: ‘Knowing Your Muslim Neighbour’, Sultan Sa‘ad Abubakar delivered an historic speech that reverberated meaningfully across the entire world. And in May, same year, he also invited the leadership of CAN to a special conference of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) held in Kaduna. The theme of that conference was: ‘Islam in the Eyes of the Christians’. He is the first Nigerian first class monarch ever to engage in such an interfaith affair at the national level and his speech on that occasion was also electrifying.

    Agenda

    In what looked like his royal agenda in respect of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence rolled out at that conference certain fundamental programmes to the utter delight of all Nigerian Muslims. Please read an excerpt from his speech at the above mentioned Interfaith Conference as presented below:

    “….we initiated, as we had done for the Jama‘atu Nasril-Islam (JNI), a thorough review of the activities of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [NSCIA] and an extensive reform of its structures.

    It is our firm belief that these reforms are not only desirable but necessary to reposition the Council to play its strategic role as the apex Islamic body in the country and to respond, effectively and meaningfully, to the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. We have had extensive consultations over the last one year and have received very useful inputs on the reform agenda from all the constituent bodies of the Council. Our strategic objectives in this exercise had been and shall remain the following:

    First is the promotion of Muslim Unity and Solidarity to accord the Ummah the ability to speak with one voice and to act and work together for the advancement of Islam.

    Second is the development of Education and Economic Enterprise, to enable the Muslim Ummah play an active role in the socio-economic life of Nigeria.

    Third is to promote peace and religious harmony both within the Muslim Communities and between the adherents of Islam and Christianity.

    Fourth is to establish effective linkage with Government, at local, state and federal levels, to safeguard the interest of the Ummah and to build consensus on those vital issues that bind us together as a nation….

    It is therefore our hope that as we bring this reform process to its logical conclusion, we will receive the support and patronage of the entire Muslim Ummah as well as the co-operation of all stakeholders, including state governments and indeed the Government of the Federation”.

    “….the task of overcoming Nigeria’s problems calls for sacrifice, dialogue and understanding; and all national stakeholders must overcome the myopia of greed and self-centredness to move this great nation forward and safeguard its strategic interests…. Unless and until we do that our nation will continue to be haunted by unholy alliance between fraudulent elections and illegitimate electoral outcomes the consequences of which we all know very well. We must break away from this vicious circle and confer on Nigerians the power and indeed the ability to decide, freely and willingly, who leads them at all levels of governance.

    “….there is also the urgent need for us to re-evaluate our conception of leadership as a nation…. needless to add, that there is no way we can make genuine progress as a nation when a significant number of our populace wallow in abject poverty unable to secure the requisite means for their sustenance and to cater for the health and educational needs of their families. Democracy must build a humane society capable of looking after the legitimate needs of its citizenry. For it to be truly successful, it must be able to bring real progress for all sectors of our diverse society.

    “Finally we must all work hard to limit the influence of wealth in our society and to support those values that promote social responsibility, excellence and hard work”.

    That is Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III a leader who knows the problems of his followers and associates with them in solving those problems.

    This column, ‘The Message’, hereby joins millions of other Nigerians home and abroad in saying CONGRATULATIONS to His Eminence on the eighth anniversary of His Eminence’s royal regale on the throne praying for Allah’s continuous guidance to accompany him in his life’s odyssey.

    Long live the Sultan! Long live the NSCIA! Long live Nigeria.

  • 20 years on the throne

    The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, has celebrated his 20th coronation anniversary at his expansive palace, Iru near Lekki, Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports

    It was a week to remember in Iru/Victoria Island in the heart of Lagos. The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, was celebrating his 20th anniversary. For that week, Iru was a beehive of activities. There were huge banners on street corners greeting the monarch.

    The weeklong activities began on Wednesday with traditional rites and prayers

    Princess Moses and Moris Oniru led the Christian prayers at the palace before the congregation moved to the Oniru Central Mosque, few metres from the palace for the Muslim version.

    Traditional appeasement featuring Elegba, Awo Opa, Ogboni and Igunuko followed later in the day.

    Thursday was Family Day. It started with the unveiling of the statue of the late Chief Yesufu Abiodun Oniru at the Junction of Akin Adesola Road/Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island.

    There were visits to orphanages/motherless babies homes, presentation of scholarship to the best pupil of British International School, commissioning of Millennium Homes and novelty match.

    At the grand finale penultimate Friday, Iru played host to the Creme de la creme.

    Three attires were prominent on the occasion. There were orange and purple ankara fabrics and the golden lace wore by the Oniru’s wives.

    The ceremony was held inside a large white canopy erected on the palace ground.

    Itinerant drummers, who gathered close to one of the canopy’s entrances added glamour to the ceremony.

    After the opening prayers by Mufasir of Lagos Sheikh Mujitaba Giwa and Pastor Moris Oniru, one of the monarch’s wives, Olori Aramide, took the gathering to Oba Oniru’s roots through rendition of his panegyric (oriki).

    The Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi and the wife of Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Olori Muhibat Oyefusi, silently, read the oriki along with her.

    She had barely finished before Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu took over to complete it.

    Oba Akiolu went historical on Oba Oniru’s battle for the throne.

    He prayed God to grant the celebrator long life.

    While thanking the Oloris for taking care of the monarch, the Olowo Eko Baba Fuad as Oba Akiolu is fondly called, jokingly told them that the celebrator is not done yet with marriages. The gathering burst into laughter.

    He also thanked the former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was present with his wife, Senator Oluremi for choosing a worthy successor, Governor Babatunde Fashola.

    Oba Oniru’s daughter Justice Ayisat Oniru-Opesanwo delivered a welcome address on behalf of the royal family.

    Asiwaju Tinubu described Oba Oniru as a progressive.

    “We are very proud of you and your achievements,” the Jagaban Borgu said.

    He recalled how the monarch allowed the government to control the ocean surge that nearly chased people out of the Island.

    “Through the Eko Atlantic project, the ocean surge problem was resolved. The Yemoja that has been collecting cows from Kabiyesi is no longer relevant; we told Kabiyesi to stop giving cows to Olokun and allow us to work on the place. If they did it in Holland, Durban and other developed nations, we can do it here as well. Today, we have put Lagos on international map courtesy of the project. Kabiyesi can now save lots of cows and they should be directed to my house having bailed you from Olokun crisis,” he said.

    Dignitaries on the high table roared in laughter as Oba Akiolu hailed the Asoju Oba of Lagos Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas by his Muslim name – “Kareem”- when the industrialist was invited for brief remarks. Thanking the monarch for informing the gathering of his Muslim name, Chief Okoya-Thomas said: “Please address me as AbdulKareem Molade Okoya-Thomas; that is my proper name.”

    The Asoju Oba said he has been relating with the royal house since childhood.

    He prayed that the monarch would live up to 120 years.

    There was a cultural display by some children.

    Chairman, Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area Prince Muideen Daramola proposed the toast.

    Daramola, the Arobadade of Iruland wished the celebrator long life, saying: “Kabiyesi, your father lived for 120 years, I don’t see the reason why you cannot live for 130 years; Iru today is peaceful and secured due to your efforts.”

    Thanking his guests, Oba Oniru said the peace in the community is due to the love among the people.

    He led guests on the dance floor where King Sunny Ade) thrilled the gathering.

     

  • Deji’s stool: Six princes, deposed monarch battle for throne

    Deji’s stool: Six princes, deposed monarch battle for throne

    Six princes of the Osupa ruling house and the deposed Deji of Akure have entered the race to succeed the late paramount ruler of Akure land, Oba Adebiyi Adesida Afunbiowo, who joined his ancestors on December 1, 2013.

    The battle for the Deji’s stool is, however, causing crisis among the princes and princesses of Osupa ruling house, whose turn it is to ascend the throne. The royal family has broken into two with different set of leaders, each calling for expression of interest from any of their princes to become the next Deji of Akure.

    Following the passing on of Oba Adebiyi Adesida, his first daughter Princess Adetutu Adesida, has been installed as the regent in accordance with tradition a position she would hold until the next Oba is installed.

    There are two ruling houses recognised by law that can produce the Deji of Akure – Ojijigogun and Osupa. Late Oba Adebiyi Adesida came from Ojijigogun ruling house, hence the turn of Osupa ruling house to produce the next monarch of Akure land.

    Although, the Lisa of Akure Kingdom (Prime Minister), High Chief James Olusoga, in a recent chat with The Nation said succession to the Deji’s stool had not fully started, he stressed that it is the ruling house, whose turn it is to produce the next monarch that has the major responsibility of selection, after which the kingmakers will ratify.

    He pointed out that there is no time limit for the regent to be on the throne, saying if it took five weeks or five years for the ruling house concerned to be ready with the list of the contestants to the throne, the kingmakers would wait for them and will only do all other traditional rites including the consultation of Ifa oracle to pick the best from among the princes presented to them.

    The Ojijigogun ruling house had dominated the throne for more than 100 years aside the short reign of the deposed Oludare Adesina, between November 2005 to 2010 (five years), who is from the Osupa ruling house. He was accused of assaulting his wife publicly and was dethroned by the state government, though the deposed monarh denied the act.

    The six princes jostling for the throne for now are Wole Aladetoyinbo (US-based businessman), Kayode Adegbite (Akure businessman), Oluwole Ogunsuyi (Commissioner in Ondo State Judicial Commission), Femi Adejuyigbe (Akure saw miller), retired Air Commodore Leye Alabi (Lagos Businessman) and Kayode Abewajoye (popular television presenter with OSRC).

    However, the deposed Adesina, who is presently in United Kingdom (UK), is also fighting hard to return to the throne.

    Already, he had urged the Appeal Court to restrain Akure Kingmakers and the Ondo State government from filling the vacant stool in the ancient town.

    Adesina had approached the Court to plead that his case and application for relief which were struck out by an Akure High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, should be re-listed in the court list.

    The respondents in the suit are Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akure Chiefs and Late Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

    Lawyers including Olalekan Ojo, Folorunso Ahmed and Olaniran Oladapo appeared for the Appellant, while F. A. Salami and Kayode Dare appeared for the Respondents.

    At the recent session, none of the Appellant and Respondents appeared in person before the court. The absence by the respondents was said to have been prompted by the death of the late Oba Adesida.

    Counsel to the chiefs, Kayode Dare pleaded that four of his clients (kingmakers) are dead and therefore nobody could appear for them until the stools are filled with new chiefs.

    Earlier, counsel to Adesina had prayed the court to extend the time within which to compile and transmit the record of appeal for proper transmission of the case.

    In her ruling, the presiding Judge, Denton West, ruled in favour of the deposed monarch, stressing that the counsel to the parties should choose a date and notify the court.

    According to her, the counsels should let the dead be and those alive should move ahead with the case.

    She added that the dead could not stop the case from being decided, urging both appellant and respondents to settle with concerned parties in order to restore peace.

    Justice West observed that if they should continue to pursue the case, it might take longer than expected especially now that no date has been fixed for hearing and the development might affect the processes for the installation of new Deji.

    In the crisis rocking the Osupa ruling house, the former Dr. Adebimpe Ogunleye and his secretary, Adebanjo Adeleye were reportedly removed at one of the royal house’s general meeting held on January 26.

    A member of the House, Toyin Aladetoyinbo, in a statement said a new head of the family and the secretary have been appointed and gave the names of Bishop Aladeyeye Aladegbaye and Michael Adeniyan as the new head of the family and sSecretary respectively.

    However, it was the sacked Ogunleye’s leadership faction that released the names of the contestants who filled the forms of intent for the vacant stool of Deji of Akure.

    But Aladetoyinbo has described Ogunleye’s action as null and void, since its leadership had been removed by the Osupa ruling house.

    According to him, any contestant to the Deji’s stool that obtained forms or wrote letter of intent to Ogunleye leadership was doing so at his own risk.

    Meanwhile, in an effort to ensure reconciliation within its ranks the ruling house has set up a committee headed by the Olu of Ilu-Abo and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae to settle the dispute within the royal house.

    Other members of the Committee include former Commissioner for Information in the state, Prince Olu Adegboro, Adeuya Oluwatuyi, Kayode Ajomale, Adebanjo Adeleye and two other personalities.

    In a chat with the new secretary of Osupa ruling house, Mr. Adeniyan said the leadership of Bishop Aladeyeye has been approved to run the affairs of the ruling house.

    According to him, the ruling house at its meeting in Akure at the weekend sent a letter to Governor Olusegun Mimiko to give a directive to Aladeleye’s leadership to commence various processes leading to the filing of the vacant Deji’s stool.

    A source within the Osupa family, who spoke in confidence on the chances of the deposed Adesina returning to the throne he forcefully vacated said this could only be possible if his banishment was lifted by the state government.

    Meanwhile, the regent, Princess Adetutu is intensifying efforts to ensure peaceful kingdom while her reign lasted.

  • I want my throne back

    I want my throne back

    As the race for succession to the throne of Deji of Akure hots up, Damisi Ojo reports on the attempt by the deposed monarch of the ancient city, Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina, to regain the throne

    Three and half years after he was removed from the throne and nineteen days after the demise of his successor, deposed Deji of Akure, Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina has formally written the Ondo State government seeking reinstatement to the throne of his forefathers.

    Adesina, through his lawyer Olusola Oke Esq. not only asked to be returned to the palace as the paramount ruler of Akure land, but also explained his own side of the events that led to his deposition and banishment by the state government on June 10, 2010.

    In the letter to the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and his executive council titled: Appeal for vacation of orders of deposition and banishments Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina from the throne of the Deji of Akure and reinstatement to the throne, dated December 19, 2013, the deposed monarch while commiserating with the government and people of Ondo State, Akure in particular over the passing of Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II said he was moving quickly to seek a return to the palace because of information he had that some people are already jostling for the throne even before the dust settles on the traditional rites of passage for the late Deji.

    Adesina, while blaming communication gap between the palace and the mass media for the public not hearing his own side of the story of his alleged assault on his late Olori denied all the allegations leveled against him leading to his removal.

    “I have, time and again, considered the tragic events that led to my exit from the throne and I have come to one conclusion: that Goebbels, not Hitler, was the reason Germany thought she was strong enough to conquer the World. Sir, I now know how important the press is. Communication and information management are issues I will never toy with again.

    Why did I say communication and information management? Because none of the things I was alleged to have done ever happened!

    For the avoidance of doubt, I do not lay any blame at the door of any journalist but I admit that avoidable communication gap was the reason why the press could not even report a single account of the version of the palace at that material time. Again, I admit that this communication gap was avoidable.”

    Explaining what happened between himself and his late wife, Adesina raised some posers to buttress his innocence:

    •Did I go to Hospital Road? Yes I did, because it was a house I had rented before I mounted the throne. I kept the house and still paid for same while on the throne because some members of my family still lived there. Where then, for example did the press get information that the house I went to belonged to my in–laws?

    •I also read in the newspapers that I poured acid on my wife: To begin with, how could someone I allegedly poured acid on in the evening of May 30, 2010 now go out just a few days thereafter to plead with different Obas, Chiefs and leaders that her husband should be reinstated? It may interest you to note that she went about asking that I be reinstated whilst fully dressed as an Olori i.e. without buba on top of her Iro. There were no bruises on her.

    Sir, it may further interest you to know that when my late wife, who was allegedly bathed with acid got to the palace of the Jegun of Ile – Oluji, the Jegun said he had read about all that happened in the print media and said he hoped the Olori had fully recovered. It was at this stage that the Jegun was told that the beautiful lady dressed in Iro, with beads round her neck but without the buba top and who accompanied the emissary to his palace was indeed the Olori  that was allegedly bathed in acid! The Jegun quickly drew the Olori to his side and searched for the spots where she was allegedly bathed with acid but did not find any!

    The other Obas who saw her soon after she was allegedly bathed with acid were the Olugbo of Ugbo land and the Olukare of Ikare. The mother to Your Excellency also saw her at Ondo town when she came to beg her to plead with Your Excellency.

    Above all, the families concerned have since reconciled their differences.

    •Moreover, I also read from the dailies that I fell into the gutter and had to be rescued. This was outright falsehood. Firstly, up to this point, three years after the incident, even with modern technology, phone, camera and other means of communication, is it not strange that there has not been one single documented account of this fact? Why is it that none of the media houses in this country ever showed or got this printed out! I came downstairs from the building and stayed in my car at the time my late wife was allegedly bathed with acid.

    •I also read it in the papers that I poured hot ashes which I brought in nylon bag on her. Sir, is it not strange that hot ashes was brought in a nylon bag? Why did the nylon not melt? Besides, is it not elementary traditional science that if you pour ashes, it will undoubtedly be blown towards you (the pourer). That is why it is said in Yoruba land that “eni deeru ni eeru n to”. Why was I not affected by the ashes myself since I was the one that allegedly poured it? Why was any other person not affected since, by the media accounts, the environment was rowdy and full of people?

    For the avoidance of doubt, I married my late Olori Bola Adepoju Adesina traditionally. I also needed to divorce her for reasons due largely to some serious and irreconcilable family differences. Even though it is good for the married to stay together for better or for worse, it is however my belief that where certain acts of one of the spouses is consistently dangerous to the life of the other, it is better to divorce and stay alive than to pretend to be married but die in it.

    Sir, you are a good man. You will kindly pardon me to respect and honour the memory of the late Olori by refusing to disclose, in details, through this medium, all that my late wife did that necessitated the divorce. Besides, because of the future of my children from the late Olori, I most humbly plead that you will further pardon me from going further than this through this medium. At any rate, some of the reasons for the divorce are not unknown to Your, Excellency.

    •On the issue of engaging in shady land deals: I wish to place it on record that I never instructed anyone to collect “royalty” on my behalf from any land owner. No one ever came to inform me that he wanted to check if it was true that I actually sent anyone to collect “owo omo onile” from him. It is worthy of note that the only known account/record of the use of my name to collect “owo omo onile” is at the ‘A’ Division in Akure where the culprit, one Mr. Gbenle Kikiowo made an undertaking not to use my name again for such fraudulent activities when, upon a tip – off, I got him arrested and took him to ‘A’ Division, Akure. Why the police never prosecuted him up till now, I do not know because I personally reported him to the police when I got information that he used my name to collect “owo omo onile.”

    •On the issue of engaging in a public fight with Chief Jossy Abegunde, I deny firmly that I fought with him. Conversely, the issue between Chief Jossy Abegunde and I had to do with the ownership of a large parcel of land belonging to Akure community which was turned to a plank market by the Police Authorities. Sir, you will agree with me that the Police Authorities do not have any constitutional or statutory responsibility to operate plank markets. The Police Plank Market beside St. Luke Anglican Church, Idi-Agba, Akure is indeed the first of its kind.

    Your Excellency, it is also my belief that an important function of Obaship is the protection of the common heritage of the Oba’s domain. Thus, I believe I did the right thing by instituting an action against the Police Authorities in respect of the disputed parcel of land. That was all I did. It is worthy of note that in the suit I instituted against the Police Authorities on the disputed land, it was done with the active consent and participation of Akure Council of Chiefs. The Chiefs were also co-plaintiffs in the said suit against the Police. The Chiefs even agreed to contribute money for the payment of our lawyer’s professional charges.

    Moreover, even the late Oba Adegboye Adesida was reputed to have continued with the litigation on the disputed land.

    At any rate, it is important to inform Your Excellency that Chief Jossy Abegunde and I have since reconciled our differences. We both later understood that both of us wanted what was in the best interest of Akure on the disputed land but our approaches were different.

    •On the disagreement between the Chiefs and the Palace: To begin with, I never had any disagreement with either the Akure Council of Chiefs as a whole or the Kingmakers alone. The seeming disagreement I had with the Chiefs was on the payment of “Igbanujo”.

    Your Excellency, “Igbanujo” is the money I was obliged to give the Chiefs as a whole for their entertainment upon my emergence as an Oba elect. Sir, due to obvious financial constraints, as a result of the various expenses I incurred at the time of contesting the throne and thereafter, I could not immediately raise the sum of N5million meant for the “Igbanujo”. However, I later paid the “Igbanujo” money after I ascended the throne.

    Thus, it is important to state categorically that the “Igbanujo” money was not money collected or paid for any illegal or fraudulent purpose. All the Chiefs of Akure can attest to this fact. The payment is just a traditional way by which any Oba-elect fetes all the Chiefs. This is a tradition in Akure that I am sure that even the late Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida honoured. Sir, I dare say that all the Chiefs of Akure can attest to these facts.

    •On the Lisa of Akure: My disagreement with High Chief Folorunso David, the then Lisa of Akure started when, after I had become the Deji of Akure,  the Lisa wrote a letter to the Ondo State government on his own letter head paper requesting that the Olu of Ala be made an Oba. The then Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru sent a copy of the letter to me after which I invited Akure Council of Chiefs and the Lisa himself to the palace on the issue.

    On the advice of the Council of Chiefs, I set up a committee which investigated the circumstances warranting the letter by the Lisa to state government. Even though I was not opposed to the upgrading of any person to the status of an Oba where deserving, the Council of Chiefs, and the committee set up found the Lisa’s conduct to be capable of undermining the throne of the Deji of Akure and capable of causing disunity and disaffecting amongst Akure indigenes. Thus, the committee recommended that the Lisa be suspended for six months. The Lisa was thus suspended on the recommendation of the committee. However, after considering his plea and the significance of his chieftaincy title amongst the Chiefs, his suspension was subsequently lifted.

    The second cause of the disagreement I had with the then Lisa also occurred when the Lisa, wrote a petition against me to our respected Akure and Yoruba leader, Chief Fashoranti. The Lisa wrongly alleged that I supported members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who were pro–Labour Party against those who were pro – PDP. He further alleged that I went to Erekesan Market with your Excellency when your Excellency came to inspect the market for possible reconstruction. There were about twenty other false allegations in the said petition to Chief Fashoranti. I also got a copy of the petition written to Chief Fashoranti.

    Upon receipt of this petition, I also called a meeting of Akure Council of Chiefs where I showed the petition which was written on the letter head paper of Akure Council of Chiefs. The Chiefs denied knowledge of this letter but the Lisa said the then Elemo High Chief (Barr.) Bolanle Adedipe and the Ojomu of Akure High Chief Ayo Oluyide were privies to the petition.

    The Chiefs with the exception of the Lisa, Elemo and Ojomu collectively denied being parties to and/or being aware of the petition written on their behalf.

    Consequently, the Council of Chief decided that they were fed up with the high handedness of the Lisa more so since the Lisa had taken such a grave decision in their names without actually informing them of his actions.

    Thus, the chiefs recommended that High Chiefs Elemo and Ojomu should be queried. The two High Chiefs were duly queried by me but I also applied wisdom by refusing to take any further step in the matter with or without their responses to the queries. As a matter of fact, even though the two Chiefs did not respond to the queries I never raised the issue again since, by their actions and oral explanations, they were not parties to any attempt to spite the throne of the Deji or smear my name/image.

    On the Lisa however, since there was no sense of remorse, the Chiefs  went to my secretary’s office, typed a letter of removal of the Lisa and brought it to me for signing, saying that was their decision. I obliged by signing the letter of removal of Folorunso Davids as the Lisa of Akure.

    Thus, even though High Chief Folorunso Davids was removed by a letter signed by me his removal was however the majority decision of the members of Akure Council of Chiefs.

    Sir, my seeming refusal to reinstate High Chief Folorunso Davids was by no means an act of disrespect but I feared the serious consequences of reneging on the oath made with the Chiefs on the issue. The breach of oaths in traditional institutions attracts dire consequences even if the “oath” is a mere oral agreement.

    Your Excellency may wish to ask: Why was it that even after my deposition and banishments, the late Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbiowo II refused to reinstate the said Folorunso Davids but chose to appoint another illustrious son of Akure in the person of High Chief (Engineer) James Raymond Olusoga as the new Lisa of Akure? The reasons that prevailed at that time were also why the late Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida could not reinstate the Lisa.

    Sir, suffice it to say that notwithstanding the difference in our actions, approaches and believes, my respect and admiration for the person of the Lisa never waned. Rather, I always respected him. He was always very bold, daring, courageous and dogged. These were the unassailable good qualities I liked in him – evidence of his distinguished career in the Nigerian Army. It was the extreme application of these virtues however that caused a misunderstanding between us.

    Sir, even though he also partook in the process of my removal by signing petitions against me in his capacity as the Lisa (despite his removal without a challenge in the law court) I have also completely forgiven him. I hold no grudges against him whatsoever.”

    Plea for reinstatement

    After stating his case, Adesina pleaded with the state governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the state executive council to recall him to the throne: “I do honestly plead with your good self and the other members of your Executive Council to kindly rescind your decision on my deposition and banishments and to reinstate me back to my position as the Deji of Akure.

    Sir, I knew but I have also been further educated by my team of lawyers that legally and lawfully your esteemed executive council can still reinstate me.

    Sir, from the bottom of my heart, I hold no grudges against my Chiefs. I forgive them. As a matter of fact throughout my travails, I appreciate all the support I got from them. I also have to be realistic that with my deposition, Akure needed to move on. In moving on however, justice and truth are all I ask for. Again, I forgive all of them from the depth of my heart because without them, there cannot be a Me.

    Your Excellency, even though I never had the opportunity of expressing my own side of the story to the media by virtue of my position as an Oba and further because of the prevailing circumstances at the time and, admittedly, my mishandling of the Communication and Information Bureau, I honestly owe the executive council and the entire people of Akure the duty to make them understand that I never fought with my wife, never poured acid or any other substance on her and did not at any time fight in public.

    Sir, I wish to find favour in your eyes and in the eyes of all the other members of your council. I promise to work for the collective ideals of the entire people of Akure and to actively mobilise my people towards the maximum participation in your regime’s laudable programmes.

    For the avoidance of doubt, in the likely event that you and your honoured council do graciously vacate and/or rescind the orders of my deposition and banishment, I do promise you and the good people of Akure: That I will not witch-hunt or persecute anyone (particularly my Chiefs) for their actions or inactions at the time of my deposition and banishments; to withdraw all suits and litigations against your esteemed self and government; not to institute any further action against either your good self or any of my Chiefs in respect of any matter connected or relating to the circumstances of my deposition and banishment;to exhibit improved, matured and better approach in the discharge of my duties as the Oba of Akure; to relate more harmoniously with all Chiefs, Community leaders, indigenes and non–indigenes of Akure; to institute a foundation in honour of my late wife, Olori Bolanle Adesina Adepoju; to exhibit total loyalty to your regime and all other regimes that may come upon the successful completion of your well – deserved second term; to govern my people with godliness and with total respect for the rights of all; and above all, I forgive all.

    Efforts to get either the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs or the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to confirm receipt of the letter were not successful as both failed to pick their calls.

     

  • ‘My selection ordained by God’

    Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida was until last week Thursday, a prince of Ojijigogun ruling House in the ancient town of Akure, the Ondo State Capital, but by destiny, he is now the Deji of Akure land. In an encounter with DAMISI OJO, Oba Adesida Afunbiowo II sheds light on his life and vision for Akure kingdom.

    ROFILE

    Oba Adebiyi Adesida was born in 1950 to the royal family of Adesida royal family. He is a graduate of University of Ibadan, where he bagged a degree in Agricultural Economics and Masters in Agric Business and Management

    Popularly called “Biyi” by most people in Akure, he started working as an Agricultural

    Credit Officer with the old Ondo State Agricultural Credit Corporation.

    He owns three companies in Ibadan and married to Dr. [Mrs.] Mojisola Adesida Director at Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute [NSPRI] and blessed with four children.

    How he emerged as new akure monarch

    My selection was ordained by God. It followed Akure traditional royal hood procedures. Due process was strictly followed. With the deposition of former Deji, Oba Oludare Adesina Adepoju, the state government sent a letter through Akure South local government to Ojijigogun ruling House to select a candidate for the vacant stool.

    There was a meeting within the ruling House comprising three lineages of Adesida, Faturoti and Arosoye for the princes to contest for the position. There were seven contestants from Adesida royal house, one from Faturoti and one from Arosoye. All the nine names were sent to Akure South local government and consequently to the kingmakers.

    The kingmakers conducted extensive interview for all us and after consulting “Ifa” and went through voting  process, I was selected the new Deji of Akure after meeting all traditional procedures, my name was forwarded to the state government as the new Akure’s monarch which preceded my installation last Friday by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Minor rift after his selection

    After my emergence, few kingmakers kicked against it, but virtually all of them were in my support. In such contest, we are bound to see one or two different opinions, but after my pronouncement by the state government, all kingmakers came to my installation, an indication that the initial disagreement was all over, we are now one.

    Effort on reconcilation

    Immediately after my selection, four of my uncles [Princes] who contested with me came and pledged their support to join me in moving Akure community forward. I made telephone calls to the contestant from Arosoye lineage, but effort to get through to my co-contestant from Faturoti royal House, Prince Ademola Adegoroye was unsuccessful because his line was inactive throughout.

    VISION FOR AKURE KINGDOM

    To unite all kingmakers and over 56 traditional chiefs who are members of Deji-in-Council towards the development of the ancient community. I will summon a meeting of kingmakers to assure them that we are all one and pledge my commitment to ensure that I seek their advice on regular basis to move the community forward.

    That apart, I will endeavour to re-shape the bastardized tradition of Akure, partner with the state government to realize the vision of Akure becoming a true Millennium City like Washington DC, New York City and others.

    There is a need to sensitize the people of Akure land as mandated by Governor Olusegun Mimiko to ensure that the community becomes an envy of others across the country with all developmental programmes presently being embarking upon by the state government.

    Alliance with neighbouring communities

    Messages have been sent to my brother Obas especially in Iju/Itagbolu, Ilara-Mokin, Ogbese, Oba-Ile and others that immediately I settle down, we will reconstitute the Akure North/South traditional Council. We are going to foster unity among ourselves for the progress of our respective domains we will have regular meetings preparatory to that of the state council of Obas where we will harmonize all issues of great importance.

    I have no doubt in my mind that all conflicts within various communities in Akure South and North local governments experienced in the recent past, will become the thing of the past very soon.

    Movement to deji’s palace

    Crucial traditional rites have commenced last Thursday, it will cover six to eight weeks according to the tradition of Akure land, it is after all these have been done that I will relocate to the palace

    Advice to akure indigenes at home and in the diaspora

    Akure people at home and abroad particularly the youths and womenfolk should support me in a bid to develop the community. All efforts should be made to eradicate violence, thuggery and hooliganism in the area with the assistance of the state government, the Police and other security agencies. As peace is vital to progress and development, we will ensure that Akure and the entire state continue to enjoy peace.

    •Interview conducted with late Deji of Akure shortly after his installation in September 2010 was first published in The Nation on Saturday

     

  • Eleruwa loses bid to retain throne at Appeal Court

    The Eleruwa of Eruwa Oba Samuel Adegbola yesterday lost a 15-year battle to retain his throne at the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan.

    The monarch and six others brought a suit against Mr. James Olatunde Idowu and four others following a judgment delivered by Justice Ladipo Abimbola of the State High Court on January 26, 2011 that the current Eleruwa was wrongly picked for the throne.

    Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensan, in 50-minute judgment, thanked the learned counsel- Demilade Olaniyan and Tona Akande, for their industry, and dismissed the appeal of the appellant.

    Justice Dongban-Mensan, who examined some issues raised by the appellant, said the eminent jury were satisfied with the process in which the earlier court conducted the case. It thereby complied with the court process and affirmed the judgment of the High Court.

    Oba Adegbola became the Eleruwa in 1998, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Bolanle Olaniyan in 1994.

    His removal by an Oyo State High Court on the grounds that his selection, nomination and approval by the state government were irregular, null and void, was affirmed by the Federal High Court.

    Speaking with reporters after the judgment, Oba Adegbola said there is no cause for alarm as his counsel are finalising the process of appeal at the Supreme Court.

    He said the case being a civil matter can still be taken up to Supreme Court, adding that he is ready to utilise to the fullest, the right under the provision of law.

    Alhaji Rasheed Oyedepo said the victory of the 15-year legal battle has confirmed that the judiciary remains the hope of the common man.

    “Today, the entire Eruwa community is set free as a result of the judiciary, which restored our hope. We stood by the truth for the 15 years that Adegbola was illegally picked by some cabals in Eruwa, but today, God has revealed himself.

    “I urge Oyo State Government to ensure the implementation of the court order,” Oyedepo said.