In his 1012-paged book, Ìbàdàn: Foundation, Growth and Change, Toyin Falola talked about three values that were used in the past to engineer society, he listed them to be; agbára, ọgbọ́n and ìkọ ẹ̀gbín. He further went ahead to state that ẹ̀gbín instigates Ìbínú, a feeling of anger. As much as Ladoja is not my cup of tea, I believe that those criticising him for maintaining the stance he held during the time of Ajimobi against the distortion of Ìbàdàn Chieftaincy affairs, beyond politics failed to understand that Ladoja was simply rejecting humiliation and shame which I personally believe that is what the disruption of the Chieftaincy matters of Ìbàdàn is all about. Or, what is the essence of “fixing what is not broken” in the words of Governor Seyi Makinde when asked of his plan to address Ìbàdàn Chieftaincy matters during electioneering period during one of his appearances on a radio interview with Isaac Brown.
In order to justify the proliferation of Obas in Ìbàdàn land, some people have argued that it is an innovation. But, they failed to note that the settlement now referred to as Ìbàdàn was a bùdó ogun and an àgo, a military base and a temporary home and that what we have in Ìbàdàn is simply military aristocracy whereby the reins of government is controlled by notable warriors. And, this is so because, Ìbàdàn was founded by “iron and blood” which made the early founders to look for a workable alternative in their politics as against what is obtained in some other towns where they have pure monarchical government.
In Ìbàdàn, the civilian title of Olubadan still belongs to warriors because of the existing definite political structure (which does not give room for a permanent ruling house) that has been put in place. This is important to correct the wrong statement that it was important to transform Ìbàdàn High Chiefs to Obas because of ill-treatment they get from mushroom Obas.
Ìbàdàn, as much as I know does not have to be in any form of competition with some mushroom towns. Ìbàdàn is a city of warriors and I make bold to say that the Olubadan of Ìbàdàn is not the mate of any Oba in the whole of South West. So far, the Ìbàdàn Chieftaincy matters is the darling of the world as there is no succession crisis. Unfortunately, it is being disrupted right now without considering the fact that there is no point for such.
We are warriors and there should be no need to tamper with our collective heritage by entering into competition with towns that don’t matter. But, it has been said that isó lọlọ́kùnrùn fi máa ń dúpẹ́.
And, as against the villain they are trying to create around Ladoja that the disruption of Ìbàdàn Chieftaincy matters was endorsed by all Ìbàdàn indigenes, I make bold to assert that such a statement is deceitful. How do you expect a people who have nothing but contempt for crowns rejoice over mere elevation of High Chiefs to Obas? We only pride ourselves in war, not mere decoration.
Conclusively, I want to state that Obas are not just decorational titles but head of recognised and distinct settlements.
Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) is from Agboolé Aládìí in the Ìsàlẹ̀ òsì area of Ìbàdàn
