Chai! E be like say Oyo State no go ever hear word. Na so Governor Seyi Makinde just reinaugurate Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs after 15 years wahala, wey no be small matter! Instead of everybody to settle down like calm paddy paddy, e turn like say dem just open old wounds wey suppose don heal.
Wetin dey grind dis matter be say as traditional institutions don dey exist since before Nigeria even get democracy, dem still dey fight for who sabi lead. E no dey easy, my brothers and sisters! For Oyo, na Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife wey dey always dey clash for supremacy. Dem don dey jostle for this position long before dem even hear word ‘state.’
When dem create Osun State in 1991, people think say wahala go finish. But instead, matter con dey intensify. Every time dem dey argue over who be the real oga for the traditional hierarchy. Na wetin dem dey call ‘banana peel’ for government matter; no be small wahala, o!
We don see how both military and civilian governments dey waka ginger when e reach to handle traditional disputes. Na so Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo under military wahala fit navigate plenty crisis before dem finally swear Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as Alaafin. But as dem say, wahala no dey finish, e still dey continue.
Fast forward to 2004, Governor Rashidi Ladoja come change the game, decentralising the council. Wetin I go fit talk? Dem turn the whole matter upside down! Alaafin was dey enjoy him position as chairman, but na so new rules come spoil him market.
Fast-forward to today, Oyo Council of Obas don finally wake from sleep, but dem don open new can of worms. Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, don become the chairman again, but Alaafin dey vex on top say nobody consult am before dem arrange wetin no gree am shine.
Na wah! Wetin Makinde talk? He say e don dey 15 years wey council no dey waka. But wetin we see? Old grudges don burst out again, just like bad onion wey scatter for market. Alaafin dey complain say na lie dem dey talk, say nobody carry am along when dem do arrangement.
People dey ask plenty questions on top this matter. Which law dem follow? Members of the council no fit even sabi who dey inside. For one local government, dem don turn permanent members to only one king, leave others for dust. Na so tension dey build sef, as every town dey scream for their own share of the crown.
Oyo traditional matter no be play, my people. Na historical tension wey dey between who dey run the show and who suppose follow. Na so royal royal matter don turn hot! We go dey watch as the palace dey shake, and how dem go take settle this gbege wey don start again. E be like say this royal tussle no go end anytime soon!”
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
