(OPINION) SOFTLY! SOFTLY!! ALAAFIN AKEEM OWOADE (I), THE GROUND IS SLIPPERY

By: Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello

It would be a sacrilege for a child to demand apology from parents, no matter the gravity of the perceived wrong doing. A Yoruba axiom captures this vividly when it says: “Kòni Burú fún Bábá Kó sọ́pé Odi ọwọ Ọmọ Ohún l’Ọ́run” – No misfortune would ever befall a father to make him seek assistance from his child in the heaven!

Ironically, this was the paradox of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade who launched unprovoked kinetic assault on the Living Legend of Oduduwa nation.

Oba Abimbola Owoade’s disrespectful behavior towards Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ọ̀jájá II), at a function in Ibadan, was not only cutting his nose to spite his face, but it was also a deep wound on the pride and nobility of the Yoruba race, the World over.

What is more agonizingly disappointing was the Alaafin Oyo’s betrayal of his education, exposure, generational class and the Omoluabi culture in a fit of cultural intransigence.

On May 1, 2025, a Press statement captioned: “Viral Greeting Video: I hold Ooni of Ifẹ in High Regard”, was issued by Alaafin Palace but rather than mollifying the frayed nerves, it aggravated the angers!

It failed to do the damage control intended because the proverbial horse had already bolted away from the staple. Where is the sense in throwing away a sharp knife after it had delivered its satanic message on your finger?

The video of the ugly scene featuring Alaafin Owoade greeting the Arole O’odua, Ooni of Ife seated, has gone viral and had set many tongues wagging against Oba Akeem Owoade for the indecent assaults passed on Yoruba tradition by a King who supposed to know better.

Why The Wrong Signal From the New Alaafin?

It is difficult to explain why the new Monarch had chosen to serve us Yoruba a sour grape at the embryonic stage of his reign. Could that be tip of an iceberg of what we should expect from the new Monarch?

To be on a safe side, it would be advisable to call the attention of the trio, Professor (Bàbáláwo) Wande Abimbola and Proffessor Banji Akintoye and Adeagbo Akinjogbin, to provide tutorials to the new Alaafin on Yoruba history and poetry, so that he could learn not to become a victim of history.

The new Monarch needed to be guided on the danger of plunging into a River, the depth of which was unknown. Unfortunately, the first lesson in history class is that people do not learn from history!

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Owoade needed to be intellectually engaged on the futility of throwing his “Labàngádá” into the rings of fisticuffs of supremacy, which was an abandoned project left behind by Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (1970-2022)

Scholars and Diviners would be appreciated if the following questions running riots in the minds of average Yoruba are addressed:-

a). For his “aggressive” tendency, could the gods (Ifá) be blamed for Oba Abimbola Owoade’s choice as the 45th Alaafin Oyo, whose reigns the Oracle has predicted shall bring peace, unity and prosperity to the ancient city of Oyo, Yorubaland and Nigeria? Could Ifá have lied?

b). was it a misreading of the Ifá Corpus or a misplaced trust by Governor Seyi Makinde to have approved Oba Owoade’s appointment, amidst controversy?

c). Though a Mechanical Engineer, has Oba Owoade never made excursion into historical literature to understand the remote and immediate factors responsible for Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s anger and animosity that led to his political activism? A knowledge of history would have guided His Imperial Majesty against the continuation of the battle that he knew nothing about? He would have been saved from the unnecessary agony of taking analgesic for someone else’s headache, which would be diverting his attention from the serious challenges currently facing Yorubaland and the Nigerian nation?

d). from the hindsight, the new Alaafin seems to have been stereotyped into basking in the euphoria of the old Oyo Empire. Drawing the hands of Yoruba civilization way back to the pre-analogue era! The Oyos appear to be living in the past thinking they could possibly rewrite the Yoruba history by turning ‘Son to Father’, and vice versa! Did Oranmiyan not go back to Ife to become the 6th Ooni, where he breathed his last? Where was he buried with his Staff?  I once visited the site and that of Oduduwa at Ife in 1986.

e). Was Oranmiyan (the first Alaafin Oyo), the first Male Child of Oduduwa? No, Fagbamila Ajagunla, the Orangun of Ila was the First Male child. He was of the same Mother with Oranmiyan who was the last Male Child. So, why would the Alaafin be claiming supremacy over Orangun-Ila, let alone the Arole O’odua – Ooni?

f).Was Oyo the First Empire in Yoruba history? According to Samuel Johnson (1921), Mabogunje & Omar-Copper, (1971), Orile-Owu was founded around 10th century AD, while Oyo Empire was founded around 14th and 15th century.

g).Did Oranmiyan inherit beaded Crown from Oduduwa? No, he was away when Oduduwa passed on. He was only compensated with vast of Land in lieu of Beaded Crowns. The Crow used by Alaafin was ‘confiscated’ from Aladigun’s!

h). Apart from making inflammatory statements, Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III, never insulted nor disrespected Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ọ̀jájá II), despite the wide age gap. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was five years old on the Throne when Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi was born.

The photo above could testify to late Ọba Lamidi Adeyemi’s civility, humility and deference to the Ọọni as Spiritual Father.

Why Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III Was on Revenge Mission

History shall be kind to the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi (III), for putting up a good fight to avenge the political victimisation of his father, Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II (1945-1965).

History had it that Oba Adeyemi II, was dethroned in 1954 for been disrespectful to the Action Group Deputy Leader, Chief Bode Thomas, who was also the Oyo Divisional Council Manager. Oba Adeniran Adeyemi (II), was a staunch supporter of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Party – National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).

There was altercation between the Alaafin and the Council Manager over Alaafin’s refusal to observe the protocols of remaining Standing when the Chairman entered. The aftermath of exchange of harsh words was the barking to death by Chief Bode Thomas on the command of Alaafin Adeyemi II, who was allegedly cited some incantations (Àyájọ́ Ohùn Ifẹ̀) on Chief Bode Thomas. The rest is history.

Inspite of vigorous attempts by Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (III) to pervert the course of history because of the past glory of his defunct Empire, the Ooni of Ife remains the recognized Spiritual Father of the Yorubas. He is co-Chairman of the National Council of Nigeria Traditional Rulers. This body was established by the Federal government and is composed of selected First Class Obas, Emirs and Chiefs in Nigeria.

In 1903, Ooni Adelekan Olubuse I (1894-1910), was invited by the British Colonial Governor, Sir William Macgregor, to travel to Lagos to settle a dispute over the rights to wear Crown between the Olu and Oloja of Epe. Why was Alaafin Lamidi Amubieya Agogoja (1899-1919), not the one invited?

In conclusion, the new Alaafin of Oyo should be wary of the people around him for the kind of advice they offer him. He shouldn’t be held hostage by the few Oyomesi on his side; The Abobakus; Ilaris; and the Drummers, are most likely to be competing for attention to curry unmerited favors. The Monarch should subject their advice to critical thinking. Not to be swallowed hook, line and sinker.

Congratulations to Alaafin Akeem Abimbola Owoade. Wishing him a peaceful and successful reign.

Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello is a Political Analyst, he writes from Ilorin