Written by Oladotun Oladele
"Alaafin le npe, ti e ko Fi Ida lale garaaga"(translation: it is Alaafin you are mentioning without drawing the sword and use it to strike the ground severally). Kiniun oju Abata (translation: the Lion of Abata). Atari Ajanaku ti ki se eru Omode, Eru ti reluwe ma ru ni ekan, ti omolanke abi agbegilodo ba teri si, won ma ditan (translation: the head of an elephant is not a baggage for a kid, the goods that a train will carry successfully at once, if a truck-pusher or a wood truck carries it, they will become history). These aforementioned words are often used as warnings and advisory capacity in Yoruba land so that people who are looking to embark on some ventures can step back and think twice or think through before they proceed with the venture they are about to embark upon.
It is a fact that the traditional stool of the Alaafin is vacant and the entire world is patiently waiting for what will happen next or better put, who will ascend this Yoruba most prestigious traditional stool. Our correspondent who went to town in Oyo to find out the position of things spoke to some individuals on condition of anonymity confirmed that no less than 119 Princes are jostling for the vacant stool.
Alaafin Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye was a very bold and intellectual monarch, there are other attributes that he possessed that made him to stand out amongst traditional rulers of which he must stand out well above all of them considering the facts that his forebears ruled the only empire that is known in Yourbaland that bequeathed the national language of Oyo Empire which is Yoruba which is still been used to write all Yoruba literatures today. Therefore the personality of the Alaafin as the father of Yorubaland is incontrovertible hence whosoever occupies that position have so much responsibility on his shoulders.
From the time of the Western Region of government to the old Oyo State and the present Oyo State, Kabiyesi Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III have ruled with 22 governors in the state between 1971 and 2022 after his coronation. He was young when he ascended the throne which actually would be a good encouragement to many aspiring to occupy the position but being young was not enough. Atanda was witty and he understood networking though as at that time there was political influence which tried to stop his candidacy but eventually it failed and feelers we got was that, he had to make a promise or oath not to take revenge on the politicians and people who intimidated and victimized his father to death. Whenever he referenced the story, all who take their time to look at his eyes, always see that the colors do always change showing rage and anger, yet for the promise he made, he never uttered or sought revenge on all who victim his father to death.
This attribute was seen whenever he spoke and including the Tribune Newspaper programme where he extolled the virtues of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was the main leader of those who victimized and intimidated his father to death. He spoke truthfully, lavished praise and glowingly of the contributions of the late sage to the economic development of Nigeria and Yourbaland as a whole, a character that is very rare today. Ascending the throne of the Alaafin requires more than just been a youth in the times that we live in. There is need for the Alaafin to possess that strength, vast knowledge of the law because there are so many attendant legal battles both within and outside. Intellectual capacity, sagacity and contribution to local, state and national discuss. Alaafin is a great fortress that many good people come to seek refuge including the oppressed.
"Iwosi ni Alaafin ko, le fi ngbo ariwo" (literal translation: Alaafin despise insults that is why you hear any noise), Alaafin does not engage in battles he would lose or court cases he is not well armed with resources that he could fight and win. Many times they say, if you want peace in a region, you might have to unsettle it, let there be an unrest even if it's a propaganda lest people become docile because "eni ti won n le, ki sun" (literal translation: the person they are pursuing does not sleep). The moment anyone assumes the position of Alaafin it is battle from that day till grave and anyone who is not ready for confrontation can't be in front. The Alaafin who had just passed, was a man of great excellence in many areas and ramifications though he was not an attorney yet many attorneys always marvel at his depth of knowledge and often humbly describe him as an Emeritus Professor of Law. In the society that we are today, the number of cases won by the Alaafin are so many that even a compendium of cases he had won was made and launched in 2013.
This stool that many seek to occupy, one major question is, are these 119 princes just showing up so they can say someday that they contested for the position of the Alaafin from the Agunloye ruling house or they are serious contenders for this highly esteemed Yoruba throne? Today there is need for indepth understanding of Yoruba Culture and Tradition. Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III was well grounded in Ifa Corpus, Quran and the Bible, he understood the traditional religion very well, he was from the Sango linear descendants. He promoted all religion and he was never a fanatic or allowed personal sentiments to becloud his judgement, he was a very wise king. Aside exuding royalty, he was an epitome of culture personified. He did not buy awards of doctorates, he was a story teller and a doctor of letters whose knowledge always stupified even the expected learned individuals. His retentive memory was the greatest wish and desire that many desires and have not understood how he cultivated it even till his passing.
Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III was rich in influence, he was a man giving to lots of discipline. He was a disciplinarian and a democrat to humbly put it, he was democracy. He never operated in a vacuum, always consulting, widely and internally. He was a workaholic the only thing that impressed him is work ethics, working and working. His passion was for improvement, welfare, justice. At every point he was the darling of the men and women of the forth estate realm. He was blunt though he knows and understands when to fire a salvo and when to rhetorically speak a satire. He was always campaigning for political officeholders to be accountable to the electorates. He is always known for taking sides with the people irrespective of who the oppressor was, he was always the spokesperson even for the poor people not asking anything for himself but the people.
A king who carries the problems of others and the Yorubaland as first course never selfish. He was an advocate for the traditional institutions. There are so many kings today who have always consulted the Alaafin because their origins dates back to the times of Oyo Empire and the Alaafin was the Supreme ruler of the Empire. The Pride of place of the traditional institution today is a work in progress of the Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III including the council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State. Now this is the same throne many are seeking, all spoken about are just a tiny bit of what Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III stood for while he lived. Like in politics, many should withdraw from this race given that they know themselves that if they occupy this position they may or may not bring or add anything of value to the throne.
What do they want to bring to the institution that they are seeking to ascend? The number though high but in Oyo there are always internal mechanisms when it comes to the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo and it is our belief that God will help the Oyomesi and all they will be working with to select amongst the eminently qualified princes to occupy and carry on the torch of the Alaafin from where Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III left it. The shoe is very big, it has always been said, don't compare the new king with Lamidi Adeyemi III but the wise Alaafin will consult Alaafin Oba Adeyemi III and their forebears for him to be able to successfully navigate his tenure in office. While we all wait patiently but reassuringly that Oyo will have a new Alaafin because that is the only umbrella that covers Oyo. Awa ki jagun L'Oyo o, Aiye Oloba lawa nje (literal translation: we don't fight wars in Oyo, we live the life of kings)
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