Adejare Ibrahim
May 16th 2025
This saying is a line from the play, King Henry IV, written by William Shakespeare. A person who has great responsibilities, such as a king, is constantly worried and; therefore, doesn’t sleep soundly.
The throne (not stool) of the Alaafin of Oyo should never be mounted by any lily-livered or cowardly individual. Mio le waa ku o le j’oye ile baba ẹ, especially the revered institution of the Alaafin. The ancient throne is not for merrymaking or fun.
This saying is a line from the play, King Henry IV, written by William Shakespeare. A person who has great responsibilities, such as a king, is constantly worried and; therefore, doesn’t sleep soundly.
The throne (not stool) of the Alaafin of Oyo should never be mounted by any lily-livered or cowardly individual. Mio le waa ku o le j’oye ile baba ẹ, especially the revered institution of the Alaafin. The ancient throne is not for merrymaking or fun.
The institution of the Alaafin is an enduring legacy that thrives till date. It has faced challenges, confrontations and aggressions from different quarters. Yet, it survived and emerged triumphant over them all. The pressure will never cease till the end of time.
From the period of Alaafin Sango (who eventually committed suicide), to the reign of Alaafin Aolẹ Arogangan (who faced stiff betrayal from Kakanfo Afonja and revolts from Bashorun Àsàmú and Lafianu Owota) and to the time of Alaafin Alhaji Adeniran Adeyemi II (who was dethroned and banished by the Action Group Government of Chief Awolowo), the stories are the same.
Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III was not spared of the same Alaafin turbulence. No king in Yorubaland faced what Oba Adeyemi III faced. Before and after he became the Alaafin of Oyo, he was shaken to the marrow while on the ancient throne. We witnessed many of these trials and tribulations. We are old enough to tell some stories.
Oba Adeyemi, from the first day he mounted the throne of his ancestors on 14th January 1971 till the day he breathed his last on 22nd April 2022, it was wars upon wars and battles after battles. He had no resting time, let alone resting days. He was either suing or being sued.
Every morning, the drummers kept reminding him of the huge responsibilities and tasks on him as the Alaafin and the custodian of the pristine Yoruba culture and traditions. They drums beat thus: Alaafin, dide o bọ sòkòtò; Adeyemi, dide o bọ sòkòtò; ẹnikan e fi iṣẹ igbọnsẹ ran ọmọ ẹni; dìde o bọ sòkòtò, challenging him to be strong and courageous.
Alaafin Adeyemi III was versatile. Due to the barrage of court actions and litigations, he, himself, became a legal luminary by passion. He was always surrounded by lawyers. When you study the past court cases that involved him, including chieftaincy disputes, rulings were often made in favour of the Alaafin, because of his sound intellectual prowess.
Among these litigations was the legal tussle between Oba Adeyemi and Alhaji Àmùdá Olorunosebi (the Asipa of Oyo) on the installation of Chief MKO Abiola as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland. It is a fantastic story for anyone’s reading pleasure. Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) handled the case and won it for Oba Adeyemi. This earned him the prestigious title of Aare Bamofin of Oyo Kingdom.
It was unprecedented of any king in Yorubaland to have a direct confrontation with a serving governor in his state. Oba Adeyemi III had a serious and hot political tussle with the late Governor Alao Akala. Alaafin Adeyemi defeated Akala. Akala lost his second-term bid to the Oyo State Government House. Things really fell apart and the centre could not hold for the late Governor.
All the past Alaafins did not live peacefully or harmoniously. It is not that Alaafins are not peaceful or peace-loving; however, it is characteristic and inherent of the revered throne to be in perpetual crises, controversies and conflicts. Alaafin will not cheat and will never accept to be cheated. Alaafin will respect you to a fault and will resist every attempt to disrespect him. Kábíyèsí Iku Baba Yeye! Aláṣẹ Ìkejì Orisa!
Ọmọ Iku (progeny of death)…
Ọmọ àrùn (progeny of pestilence)…
Ọmọ òfò (progeny of devastation)…
O gbin àgbàdo ọran (problems) si ẹhinkule ẹlẹhinkunle… t’ẹlẹhinkule o gbọdọ ya jẹ
Ẹyin l’ẹni koloko o gbowo…
Ẹ tun ni kí iwọfa ma j’awa lẹ…
A ṣe ko le d’ija, ko le d’aapọn…
K’ọmọ ọba aládé le rohun mu jẹ…
It is up to any Alaafin to follow the footsteps of his ancestors. Historically, the throne hasn’t been easy, as it is a seat for warriors and victors. The current Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Aláyélúwà Oba Abdul Hakeem Abimbola Owoade (Elewu-etu I), must build on his predecessor’s efforts and win more laurels for the people of his Kingdom.
He must inherit both the assets and liabilities of Oba Adeyemi III. Kábíyèsí, you need to sit tight. I am too young and naive to tell you this, but I need to let you know of the existential threats ahead of you, Baba. Ọmọ Akin ni yin; ẹẹ gbọdọ̀ ṣ’ojo. Baba, be daring and stern.
Kabiyesi Iku Baba Yeye, you must, as a matter of urgency, take up the current challenge from the Governor, the Speaker and some members of the Oyo State House of Assembly. This is the first test of your courage. Take the appropriate legal steps. We are all in support of your actions, Baba wa. How you handle and navigate through this onerous task speak volumes of your strength, Kábíyèsí Iku Baba.
Source: OYO_INSIGHT
