When Atiba was re-establishing the present Oyo, he was hoping to bring back the glory of the Old Oyo Empire. But sadly, the rise of Ibadan and the subsequent British incursion rendered the hope futile. Atiba was by all standards a great leader; he was visionary, brave and diplomatic. He introduced some leadership structures to the institutions of Alaafin in order to correct some of what he considered as loopholes in the leadership structures of the Old Oyo Empire.
The successive Alaafins, right from Adelu to Lamidi Adeyemi III exhibited excellent leadership qualities. The last Alaafin particularly should be commended because he was the Alaafin at a time when globalization became a threat to African culture and traditions and despite this, he ensured he protected the institution with his all.
Oyo is now at crossroads and all eyes on the historic town most especially, the Oyomesi, the elders and the youths to give us a man who is befitting of the prestigious throne of “Alafinate”.
Before I proceed to comment on the 48 contestants for the position of Alaafin, I would like to bring history back to the people of Oyo and beyond and as a reminder to those who are conversant with it already and as a knowledge to those who are oblivious of it. I am very much aware that the Oyo-Mesi and other concerned individuals are aware of this history, but I would implore they see it as a reminder.
The selection of Kings in African Societies including Oyo, follow some similar patterns. There are some requirements and considerations that are always considered before a new king would emerge and they include:
1. The ability of the contestants to accurately recite history of the town from beginning to the end
2. The mental stability of the contestants
3. The health status of the contestants
4. The ancestral connection of the contestants and
5. The contributions of the contestant to the town so far.
Cheik Anta Diop in his book about African origin of civilization mentioned the importance of the ability of the contestants to accurately recite the history of the town off hand. This is because oral tradition was/is strongly appreciated in Africa. Contestants who couldn’t accurately recite the history of the town would be automatically disqualified.
African societies do not take health challenge and mental instability with levity when selecting a new king. They understand the complexities of leadership and will never place such trust in the hand of a sick man. In the past, when a king was sick either mentally or medically, to some level, he would be put to death because to continue having such a man as a king would tell in the well beings of his subjects. All these attest to the seriousness the African societies attached to leadership.
Ancestral connection is not limited to the blood link of the contestants to the Royal Family, it includes their availability to the people of the town. How often are they available for the development of their town? Are they based in the town? If yes, are they useful to the people of the town because not everyone that is based in a town is useful to the town, some people are parasites naturally. Those that are based outside the town, how often do they keep in touch to the people of the town?
The world is changing and we cannot afford to lag behind and this is the more reason the antecedent of the contestants should be considered. Their contributions to Oyo so far should be a huge factor in the selection of the next Alaafin. The best way to know what a man can do is to study what the man has done in the past.
Recently, there is a controversy over who should be considered for the leadership positions of various institutions in Yorubaland between the home based and those who are based outside. The wave is spreading to the nook and cranny of our society including University communities. Some communities are considering home based professors to become Vice-Chancellors of the Universities in their states, either it is federal or state owned University. This trend is gradually finding its way to the selection of Kings because the world is changing, globalization is connecting the world so fast. However, the diaspora people should not be disqualified from their birth rights. There are people who are not based at home but they frequently keep in touch with those at home. Whether the contestants are based at home or outside, what is of importance is their previous contributions to Oyo, their antecedents because that is how well we can know the stuff they are made off.
I read through the names of the 48 contestants and I must be sincere that they are all eminently qualified. Once you are born into a Royal Family, you are automatically qualified to contest for the throne. However, I saw a few names out of the 48 contestants that ring a bell and carry weight.
Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu is a popular name, but Baba did not become popular because he is a prince, instead, he worked for his popularity. Despite being a clergyman, he still commits himself to the preservation of Yoruba culture and traditions, the development of Oyo and stability of the historic town. He is also versed in history. These are what fascinated me to decide to write his biography in 2017. If we are to judge based on the five considerations I highlighted above, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu must be one of the most qualified three contestants for the throne.
The second person is Mr. Lukman Gbadegesin. His name rings a bell as well, but not because of any contributions I know of anyway. I was only informed about him, about how well he is conversant with history. I have not heard from him directly like I have engaged Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, but I am holding on with what I was told about him pending the time I would have an opportunity to engage him in person.
The third person is Dr. Ayobami Adewumi Sanda. I have had opportunities to engage him several times and I must confess that he is versed in history, culture and traditions. After Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, he is the most contributor to the development of Oyo among the 48 contestants, at least, to the best of my knowledge. He is young, cerebral, noble and intelligent. Just like Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Dr. Ayobami Adewumi Sanda’s name precedes him. He is a man of reason and I have no doubt that he will be a great Alaafin if he is finally selected for the throne.
Anyway, I am only writing this as an observer who is interested in the progress and development of Oyo. I am aware that the personality of the next Alaafin will determine whether the town will move forward or not and I want to believe we all crave to have a town that will be described as the city of the intellectuals just like Dakar in Senegal.
On a final note, the contestant that will be the next Alaafin should be a man of courage, a man of reason, a man who understands what the late Alaafin Adeyemi III meant when he said the society is moving from the aristocracy of power to aristocracy of intelligence. The next Alaafin should be a man who will choose soft power over hard power in most cases.
