SIR: Since the announcement of Otunba Gani Adams, the national coordinator of the Odua People’s Congress as the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, newspapers and other social media have been awash with different opinions on the institution of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, the generalissimo of the old Oyo empire, especially the myth surrounding the early or violent death that has been the lots of many of the occupants of the office, both in the days of yore or in contemporary times.
As a matter of fact, historians are not left out of the debate on the reality or mythical nature of the curse of the Aare Ona Kakanfo. Majority are of the opinion that the violent or early death of Aare Ona Kakanfo is a myth and cannot be substantiated. This is the position of the eminent historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, an expert on Yoruba history.
However, research into Oyo history shows that the curse of Aare Ona Kakanfo is real. Of the 14 Aare Ona Kakanfo thus far, not much was recorded about the first three occupants of the office. However, the fourth, Langbin, from Jabata, was beaten to death in Oyo Ile during Alaafin Abiodun’s reign in 1870s. Oyaabi, who followed him and led the revolt against Basorun Gaa and eliminated him could not have been saved from the curse because his town of Ajase has remained a shadow of itself since. The history of Afonja, the fifth Are is well known. Toyeje who succeeded Afonja died peacefully but, Oyo Empire was subordinated to Ilorin in his time as Aare. More so, Edun of Gbogun, a town under Ikoyi, was sacked by Ilorin forces under Emir Abdulsalam and Edun himself slain around 1826/1827. The story of Kurunmi is equally well known and need not be repeated here. Aburunmaku of Ogbomoso, who many thought died peacefully nearly ended the reign of Soun dynasty in Ogbomoso in 1868 due to a civil unrest instigated by him. In the same vein the exploit of Aare Latoosa of Ibadan aside his deviant posture, which led to the prolongation of the Kiriji war and eventual stalemate, were well documented by I.B Akinyele, in Iwe Itan Ibadan. The old man emphasized that the office was not a good one and prayed that no one from Ibadan should occupy the office again. In the contemporary period, although the office has become an honorary one and no military function is attached to it, and the office has equally lost most of its spiritual and diabolical efficacy or power that made it a death sentence; yet, as can be noticed in the history of the two last occupants of the office, late S. L. Akintola and late M. K. O. Abiola, the curse is for real.
Chief Adams, although, not of Oyo Yoruba stock and the first outside Oyo Yoruba to occupy the office, (Abiola from Abeokuta has Oyo Yoruba blood), is qualified going by his patriotic zeal for the Yoruba cause and the corporate existence of the nation at large. Alaafin Adeyemi III has made a good choice in Gani Adams despite his nativity. Adams is nonetheless advised to steer clear of trouble, either socio-economic or politically induced. Once he is installed, he becomes an owner of a glass house, who must not throw a stone. He is wished a good luck in his new endeavour.
- Adewuyi Adegbite,
ayekooto05@gmail.com
