Oba Akiolu’s misconduct and threat to Yoruba unity

BY RAHAMA ONIKE 

Since the video clip of the controversial encounter between Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi , the Ooni of Ife, and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, went viral, there has been an outrage on social media. Some people have been taking advantage of the anomalous situation. After observing the trend for days, I feel it’s time to lend my view to this issue.

As more and more people particularly the public intellectuals are reacting to what I describe as an unbecoming conduct of Oba Akiolu, one can’t but commend Ooni Adeyeye for displaying maturity. He accepted the less dignifying conduct with a large heart, if not the scenario could have been different.ded up as a calamity not only for the duo but the entire Yoruba race assuming Oba Ogunwusi had responded with equal fatuousness.

The shameful conduct of the Oba of Lagos has exposed him to public ridicule. Obviously, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria which organised the event where the incident happened would by now be regretting.

Whatever might have caused the snubbing of Arole Oduduwa in public by Oba Akiolu, the action under the circumstance and considering the wider implications on the unity of Yoruba race deserves condemnation. Indeed, this could equally cause discontent and disaffection among the Yoruba race.

If the two of them have any score to settle at all, it could have been done behind closed door. In trying to repond to the incident, some have been distorting history. I have heard and read a lot. I subscribe to the belief and sentiments that royalty is not determined by age or chronological factors, every crowned king remains the traditional sovereign in his domain. Irrespective of the age which the Ooni of Ife ascended the throne, he can not be denied his unique status and place in the history of Yoruba race.

However, the outpouring and declarative adjunct that Ooni of Ife is the number one in ranking and the most important traditional ruler in Yorubaland remains a contentious  one, as Oyos and Benins will never accept such inaccurate rendition.

In a way, it would be considered quite unseemly for Oyos in particular to watch the history being distorted, and values being abused.

For Yoruba race to achieve regional integration,unity and greatness, every component unit and ethnic group must come together to maximally harness the abundant and God freely given human and material resources for the region. Pursuant to this common goal and agenda is the perennial call for the unity of Yoruba race as being advocated by Ooni of Ife since he ascended the throne. Of course, the battle for supremacy among Yoruba Obas ought to have nosedived, if not totally knocked off.

It is unfortunate that some public intellectuals instead of confining their commentaries on the malfeasance of Oba Akiolu as issue of moral etiquette, they mischievously extended it to superiority to satisfy their personal idiosyncrasies. Giving preference to superemacy of Ooni over other Yoruba Obas is to the detriment of peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic communities in Yoruba race. This could cause disunity among the people of the race.
Without mincing words, the ranking of the obas across ethnic boundaries will not only create an impression that there is an attempt to superimpose certain beliefs on others. This could make the strategic objective of regional integration and development to remain a mirage.

In the final analysis, one major lesson learnt is that every public figure needs to be mindful of his public conduct. This incident has shown that Ooni Adeyeye is loved, respected and popular among Nigerians elite.

Onike sent in this piece from Oyo