OPINION: Why Ibadan is different – Critical lesson from Ladoja’s (in)famous capitulation
Femi OGUNLANA
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I think there is something to learn from the capitulation of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo state, and next in line to the exalted seat of Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo state, Nigeria pertaining to the now rested hitherto lingering issue of the wearing of beaded crown. For about 7 years he stood his ground opposed to bedecking his pate with the contentious beaded crown designed for the Olubadan chiefs by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who sought to enhance the “prestige” of the stool. Ladoja declared that as a chief he could not wear a crown, one many love to describe as “Ade Pali” – “Worthless Crown,” and of recent “Ceremonial Crown.” Ladoja also has denigrated it so. He fought it tooth and nail dismissing the prospect as an aberration of Ibadan nay Yoruba chieftaincy tradition. He challenged it in the court, in the media and in every available platform. He was condemned and threatened but he persevered and refused to back down. His principled stand won him the love of many among the ordinary people especially. He fought like a true Trojan. However, the Ibadan cream of the crop or a section of them it appears including the successor to Ajimobi as governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, deployed all arsenals – cajolement, threat, intimidation, coercion and all that to make him see “reason.” In the long run, he “stooped” and got “crowned.” Oba Ladoja has made light his decision to accept a crown he has himself labelled a ceremonial crown. The Rubicon has been crossed, he is now a Ceremonial Oba in Ibadan.
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However, one lesson learned from the whole experience is the art of retreat in the face of overwhelming odds that suddenly played out. Capitulation may not mean defeat, it could be a part of re-strategizing to maintain one’s dignity, integrity and notch a greater goal. Ever heard of “Stoop to conquer”? Some times, toeing that line leads to a sure path to better rewards. Contrarily, undue recalcitrance and obduracy often bring calamity and disgrace. Meanwhile, this attitude displayed by Oba Ladoja is one of the reasons Ibadans maintain the edge in Oyo state politics and in inter-community relations. They are poles ahead in the art of subduing personal ego for the larger interest. The one at a centre of a controversy often knows when to take a step back to see the bigger picture, reassess the situation, make peace and realign his interest with the majority, the majority which can be the most powerful, the elite group at a particular time. They are adept at discerning when to stop heeding the cacophonous clamours of the mob, the naysayers, the bad advisers hitherto goading them on on the path of gratuitous confrontation, of ruination. To them, self-preservation has now become paramount, the fight-to-finish mindset has suddenly become unnecessary. Ibadan’s history is replete with the kind of retreat demonstrated by Ladoja. Even in centuries past great war generals who ran foul of common interests, rather than fight and perish, went into exiles. They are so much skillful in the art of rapprochement, giving something to gain something, conceding one thing to gain another. They are never unduly fixated in their belief or position; flexibility is part of their make up. Perhaps that gave rise to the popular saying, “Ibadan lo mo, o mon Layipo” (In a twinkling Ibadan people can forge a decision change).
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Most other communities, l am quite aware of that of Ogbomoso, lack such power, l see it as power because it’s an advantage that enables a community to forge ahead. I have seen many instances in Ogbomoso (many still playing out) to the general detriment however, where the leading figures engaged in fight-to-finish conflicts – among Obas, among politicians, among the rich, the elite, with the town irreversibly getting polarized, everyone working at cross-purposes. If the Ladoja scenario were to play out in Ogbomoso, reaching such alarming level, l doubt if such a retreat as enacted by Ladoja would have unfolded. Such contender, relentlessly egged on by his “inner cabinet,” would have pressed on relentlessly with bloated ego not minding pulling down all in his path to entrench his way. In the end, an irreparable damage is inflicted and most times every one becomes a loser in varying degrees. Unbridled ilara, envy, bitterness, animosity, pride combined with arrogance, constant feeling of supremacy, egoism, seeking undue relevance and importance, contemptuous disposition and whatnot are adverse sentiments so much inherently ingrained and entrenched in Ogbomoso fueling intractability often associated with contentions. In Ibadan on the other hand, common interest always eventually overrides personal interest. But in Ogbomoso, we tend to view things one way through a narrow prism; vaunting self-conceited thoughts to justify our maladies. We close our mind to reasonable consideration of the other person’s point of view. Negative emotions often get the better part of us. Considered, people particularly leaders here are often surrounded by yes-men, sycophants, subordinates or associates who believe the “boss” must be told what is “sweet” and “palatable” to his/her ears even if it is wrong or untrue. People who can look up to the leaders and say their true feelings about matters are dangerously few. They believe this attitude that borders on sycophancy will make them remain in the good book of the “boss.” By which they are assured of perks of subordination. The “boss” doesn’t like the stinging truth and the subordinate is well verse in concocting and conjuring untruths. The art of giving others the benefit of the doubt is non-existent. Everything is malicious judgment of others. The funny thing however is that in the end the “marriage of lies” that once thrived between the “big boss” and the self-seeking flatterers ends in bitter breakages. Sadly, after irredeemable damages have been wrecked.
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There is need for reevaluation of our character in Ogbomoso. Most things we fight over are inessential; their outcomes even if favourable never are gratifying or of any benefits. It’s the reason the community is backward despite her humongous assets in human resources. She is blessed with so many highly placed people but this does not translate to development, commensurately. Furthermore, most times, rather than standing by and encouraging people who have the advantage and means to initiate developments we find ways of picking faults, overplaying their foibles and imperfections and fighting with them whimsically. More importantly, we need to be vocal, articulating our positions loudly in the face of real or perceived wrongs against our land, in matters that will bolster our standing, that way those that matter (government) will hear and get to know our pains and areas we yearn for improvement. Excessive wariness to avoid being labelled as opposing those that matter will blunt our cutting edge and make us vulnerable to exploitation. We need leaders who will be bold to speak the truth in all circumstances no matter whose ox stands to be gored. Ogbomoso has great potentials but these are not being harnessed maximally and is a weakness being exploited by others.
May God help us.
