The kidnap and killing of Yoruba obas by bandits has become a source of worry for many Nigerians, just as the sad development calls into question the process of enthroning monarchs which is meant to transform ordinary men into gods’ deputies by fortification with mystical powers, writes Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE
Times have changed. The days seem to have gone when Yoruba traditional rulers who are called obas wielded mystical powers that placed them above mere mortals.
Soaked in great honour and operating in grandeur rare to find among ordinary men, Yoruba obas, often referred to as Kabiyesis (meaning no one questions their authority or positions), sit on thrones that are highly respected among their people.
To operate on this level, every prince that is to be enthroned goes through initiation, training and an empowerment process called ipebi, to craft them in the personality of the man that can operate as kabiyesi.
In the old days, obas planned and supervised wars. Aside from the mystical powers they possessed, they constantly consulted the Ifa to know what was ahead and prepare appropriately.
In the days of inter-tribal wars, and even in modern times, the capture of an oba means the capture of the entire town by the enemy. Hence, obas are usually princes who have shown signs of valiance and who are high achievers.
Their mystical powers and knowledge make Yoruba see them as gods’ deputies; hence anyone who receives the blessing of an oba is likened to those who receive a blessing from God or the gods.
The current kidnapping of Obas, and particularly the killing of two monarchs in Ekiti last week, practically flattened the rostrum of honour on which Obas stand. The incidents are fast demystifying obas.
On Monday, January 29, a group of bandits ambushed and killed two traditional rulers – the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin. Their third brother king, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, was lucky to escape the gruesome killing.
They were said to be returning from a security meeting when they were ambushed by the gunmen who cheaply snuffed life out of them.
The same fate befell the Olukole of Koro in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole when gunmen invaded his palace on Thursday last week, killed him and whisked his wife and one other away. The wife has since been reportedly freed.
How Yoruba obas became cheap victims of criminals is still a surprise to many. The latest killings and attacks had been preceded by the same crimes in Southeast Nigeria. Many Yoruba had thought that it would be inconceivable for such to happen in Yoruba land.
But, with the stark reality, anger is gripping many people in the land. While some see it as another layer of the malaise in the land, some blame the obas for failing to uphold the tradition that guides occupancy of the throne. Others still believe that the government is not doing enough to support the welfare of the traditional rulers.
A counter-terrorism expert, Prof. Isaac Albert explained that the attacks on traditional rulers is a deliberate effort by bandits to instil fear in the people and the government and give the impression that no one is safe.
Albert, who teaches Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, told The Nation that the recent wave of obas’ killing is part of the punishment Nigeria is receiving for ignoring experts’ warnings and advice on how to tackle insurgency as well as politicising security.
His words: “Nigeria is simply paying for politicising counter-terrorism. Professionals warned about it but were called “wailers.” Where are the “hailers”? As the Ooni of Ife asked, how many of these people can go to their communities without escorts? In other words, it is not just starting today but President Tinubu now has to carry the full weight of the problem. The situation could get worse under him as those responsible for these cases of violent extremism no longer exercise any restraints.
“Several traditional rulers were killed in the North and the Southeast in the past. What did we do? Terrorists attain their strategic objectives through fear-mongering.
“The British did the same thing for colonising Nigerians. They did not target the ordinary citizens but their traditional rulers, some of whom were captured and killed for daring to ask colonisers questions. Those killed included the Caliph of Sokoto in 1903. Some were exiled or forced to sign “protection” treaties.
“Terrorists use the same strategy globally. We gave Nigeria to those in our midst by being euphemistic in framing their activities. Our cups are full now; the situation could get worse. The belief in Yoruba land is that the ordinary mortal does not see the corpse of a king. You don’t announce the demise of a Yoruba king. Nigerians saw their blood dripping like that of ordinary animals as they were being taken away in an open truck. Some crawled to safety. How did we get here? How do we save whatever is left of the Nigerian state? We should stop hiding behind a leprous finger.”
A Professor of History at the same university Olutayo Adesina believes that the Obas are to be largely blamed for their misfortune. He believes that the current travail of royal fathers is a sign of collapsed civilisation, adding that the problem is, however, multifaceted.
Tracing the history of how traditional thrones were gradually stripped of their powers and aura by colonial masters and later politicians, Adesina said many obas also embarked on self-destruction with their ambition and behaviours.
His words: “The predicaments of our natural rulers and the traditional institution smack of deep and acute symptoms of civilisational collapse.
“The problem is multifaceted and multidimensional. We can locate it in the problems caused by modernity, the inadequacies of the royal personages, and the lack of regard for the institution by a new and uncaring generation.
“Modernity, through colonial rule, had foisted a less effective traditional institution on colonial and post-colonial Nigerian communities. They had been stripped of the pre-colonial aura, roles, power and influence. They arrived in post-independence Nigeria as impotent and less powerful people.
“With independence, the successor state adopted the strategy of dealing with the traditional rulers bequeathed by colonial administrators. The political class also began a systematic disrespect and control of the traditional institution. They began to weave the rulers around their fingers, enthroned their favorites and deposed their less favoured Obas at will. This happened with the Alaafin of Oyo and Olowo of Owo. The Odemo of Ishara was grossly disrespected. In the eyes of the civic society, obas lost respect and became extremely vulnerable
“The obas themselves became their own greatest problems. Many of those who ascended the thrones were less worthy or less qualified. The usual aura usually associated with the natural rulers gradually gave way and obas began to manifest ordinariness beneath their statuses. They began to lose respect. But that is not to say rulers of stature and credibility did not exist. Many still retained that respectability.
“The greatest challenge the rulers faced had to do with the inadequate attention to the traditional rites and lores of their communities. They began to repudiate or shorten the periods of seclusion designed to prepare them for their roles as the leaders of their people.
“Once we got to that sorry point and the kingmakers and traditional priests became corrupted, the battle was lost.
“A generation ignorant of the roles and relevance of the traditional institutions then came into prominence. The problem became compounded when this generation began to experience the chicanery and hanky panky of the traditional class with land deals, political exposures, party popping, wife-snatching and a whole lot of negative tendencies, the destruction of the traditional institution was complete.
“The institution engaged in a crisis of self-immolation that destroyed its value and essence.”
A member of the royal clan largely agreed with the don. In his perspective, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao said the practice of monarchy in a democracy presents a crisis which is yet to be solved. He posited that the system gives powers to political office holders above traditional rulers, adding that some obas do not have the financial strength to provide security for themselves in the present circumstances.
Oba Alao, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs said: “Let me condemn all forms of attacks, including kidnapping and killing of traditional rulers. It is a sacrilege, and the spirit of our ancestors will hunt perpetrators of these evil acts to absolute destruction.
“Traditional rulers in Yoruba land today face undeserved danger because of many factors.
One, as Nigerian society experiences increasing security challenges, Yoruba obas are not provided with security personnel for adequate protection despite their positions as heads and permanent rulers of their kingdoms. This opens them to needless attacks such as those experienced in recent times.
“Two, Yoruba monarchs are poorly remunerated. Occupying the throne as a permanent ruler translates to enormous financial obligations, among others. This challenge manifests in many ways, including the inability to fund adequate logistics for travels and provide security around oneself in and outside the palace. Monarchs are not expected to engage in open jobs like their subjects to earn a living and take care of their families. They, therefore, need good remuneration to operate following the honour of their thrones.
“Three, lack of constitutional role leaves Obas at the mercy of those with political power, whom the constitution empowers as the overall leaders of the state or country. Since the days of colonialism, Nigeria ceased practising monarchy, a system of government in which affairs of the state are under the king or queen. Under the type of democracy being practised in Nigeria, obas are listed as institutions under the control of the local government. This is incongruous with the importance and the role Obas are meant to play in Yoruba society.
“To reverse this trend, the government should assign a constitutional role to traditional rulers as the most authentic leaders of the people of Nigeria. We are permanent rulers. We cannot leave office or run away like politicians who know that their tenure is limited by a number of years.
“The government should also offer emoluments that are commensurate to each throne to ensure adequate welfare of traditional rulers. Obas should not just be left to struggle for survival since they have been enthroned to look after the security, welfare and progress of their kingdoms. It is an enormous task that should be undertaken without any distractions.
“Going by the extent of insecurity in Nigeria today, it has become expedient for the Federal Government to allow the establishment of state police. The establishment of Amotekun in Southwest has brought a little improvement to the system. The Federal Government should allow Amotekun to carry the right arms to combat criminals.
“Not only the above, but the unpalatable experience across Nigeria today confirms that we need a new security architecture altogether.
We cannot continue with the current security structure and expect a different result. A new trend of challenges requires a new approach.
“For the immediate time, the government should strengthen security around all monarchs, particularly permanent rulers. By preserving our revered monarchs, we are preserving our societies, our heritage, honour and pride.”
