Why Alaafin Warned Governor Fayemi Against Disrespecting Obas; There Must Be Consequences, Fayemi Says

By Akinwale Kasali

Coming on the heels of the dethronement of the former Emir of Kano, Lamido Muhammad Sanusi II, a number of Ekiti state Obas could be in trouble. They have been queried by the Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The queries hinge on the allegation that the affected Traditional Rulers have been shunning Government activities. The 15 Obas have also been accused of alleged insubordination and disrespect for constituted authorities.

Fearing that a repeat of the embarrassing Kano episode which led to the dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II by Governor Abdullahi Ghanduje, could happen in Ekiti, one of the most revered Traditional Rulers in Yorubaland, the Alaafin of Oyo, HRH Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has warned  Governor Fayemi against treating the traditional institution in Yorubaland with levity.

Alaafin said unlike in some tribes, where there was nothing attached to their traditional institutions, the Yoruba traditional institution was “ancestral and spiritual.”

In a letter to the governor,  the Monarch,  said that the Yoruba tradition is sacrosanct and supreme, and no one has the right to disrespect, nor disregard it.

Fayemi, in the query issued individually to the affected traditional rulers by the Bureau on Chieftaincy Affairs dated March 11, gave the monarchs 72 hours within which to reply.

The query, which was entitled, “Re: Absence from State Functions and Council of Traditional Rulers’ Monthly Meetings,” was signed by A.O. Adeoye on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau.

However, in a letter reacting to the query, the Alaafin said he wrote on behalf of other prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi,  the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo Adedotun.

The letter read in part, “Since the case is still in court, we will not want to comment further on it as law-abiding citizens. I, however, would have expected that Your Excellency waited till the end of the court process before acting on the matter.

“It is in this note that I, along with my fellow traditional rulers across Yorubaland, feel very sad that Your Excellency issued a query to the 15 Ekiti crowned respected traditional rulers of high esteem in Yorubaland for not bowing their heads to their subordinate by not attending the Council meeting under their subordinate. That exercise, and without mincing words, is to say the least subjudice.

“To some races, nothing outside the mundane is attached to their traditional institution. Whereas, that of Yoruba is beyond the mundane as it is also ancestral and spiritual. The Yoruba oba is the representative of the ancestors, the real owner of the land or ground.

“It is on this basis that we will advise against any attempt to treat traditional institution in Yorubaland with levity and to avoid any attempt of importing any subculture of traditional degradation into Yorubaland.

“It is ironic that while the predecessors in office and ancestors of these 16 crowned obas and their subjects displayed uncommon patriotism, courage and commitment to confront the intimidating military prowess of Ibadan Army for 16 years (1870-1886), Your Excellency as one of the beneficiaries of the legacy bequeathed by these Kings of Yoruba history is now embarking on an exercise that will rubbish the contributions of your ancestors.”

But reacting to the rumours that he wanted to play a Ghanduje in Ekiti state, Fayemi said he had no plans of dethroning the Traditional Rulers, but that there must be consequences for insurbordination