FOR THE RECORD: RE: Ogbomoso and Alaafin’s proposed permanent chairmanship of Oyo State Council of Obas by Prof Rasheed OLANIYI
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The ongoing process of amending the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs Law by the Oyo State House of Assembly, which seeks to designate the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman of the Council, has sparked considerable debate among traditional rulers and stakeholders across the state. In this context, the historic and contemporary significance of Ogbomoso within Yoruba history cannot be overlooked and an attempt of such must be subjected to public historical dialogues, which involves various stakeholders. Ogbomoso has consistently played a pivotal role in moments of uncertainty within the Oyo Empire and Yorubaland at large, often emerging as a stabilizing force. Historically, the town made notable contributions to the maintenance of peace in the Oyo Empire. One prominent example is Soun Ogunlola, a foundational figure in Ogbomoso’s dynastic lineage, who played a decisive role in quelling an insurrection at Ogbooro by killing and beheading the rebel leader, Elemoso. This act earned him the legendary title “Ogbori Elemoso,” which later evolved into the name “Ogbomoso”—a testament to its origins as the settlement of the Soun. Far beyond this singular act, Ogbomoso was never a passive participant in the affairs of the Old Oyo Empire; by the mid-eighteenth century, it had emerged as one of the most important military communities in Yorubaland, with a legacy of leadership and valor that continues to shape its identity today.
During the Yoruba Civil War, Ogbomoso played a significant role as a place of refuge for displaced families and communities from across the Oyo Empire. At the height of the conflict, more than 143 extended families—including Obas, head chiefs, and other prominent figures—relocated to Ogbomoso, resulting in a dramatic population increase. Today, descendants of several royal and notable extended families from Oyo and Ibadan still reside in Ogbomoso, tracing their roots to this period of displacement. In addition to serving as a refuge, Ogbomoso played a critical role in the coordinated resistance against the Fulani jihadists from the North. Its reputation for military strength is reflected in the number of Aare-Ona-Kakanfo—military commanders-in-chief of the Yoruba forces—produced from Ogbomoso and its environs, including figures like Oyalabi, Adeta, Toyeje Alebiosu, Edun Opele, Ojo Aburumaku, and Ladoke Akintola. Notably, Toyeje Alebiosu (1808–1831) led the defense of the remnants of the Oyo Empire, commanding the Ogele War of 1824—the first major military campaign directed at Fulani strongholds in Ilorin—accompanied by Baale Onyiorokun, the Aareago of Ogbomoso. This was followed by the Mugba-Mugba War of 1825, where Toyeje represented both the Alaafin and the broader Yoruba interest. Ogbomoso’s military and strategic significance was further demonstrated in its active participation in the War of Gbodo and the Eleduwe War of 1837.
The Eleduwe War, which marked the final military effort to defend Oyo-Ile, further highlights Ogbomoso’s strategic importance in Yorubaland. Ogbomoso was chosen as the central assembly point for war leaders from across Yoruba land. Among those who gathered were Alaafin Oluewu, Oluyole of Ibadan, Kunrunmi of Ijaye, Ayo of Abemo, Bamigbaye, the king of Ede, Atiba of Ago-Oja, Olona Ika, Eleduwe, the king of Ibariba (Borgu), and Baale Aremu Oluwusi of Ogbomoso. The combined forces initially assembled at Okelerin and later at Isale Laka. The eventual deaths of Alaafin Oluewu and Eleduwe during the campaign led to the final abandonment of Oyo-Ile. In the aftermath, Ogbomoso emerged as a defensive stronghold for Yorubaland, playing a critical role as a bulwark against the advancing Fulani jihadists and serving as a guardian of Yoruba territorial integrity during one of the region’s most turbulent historical periods.
The importance of Ogbomoso in Yorubaland, particularly in relation to Oyo’s historical influence, is also illustrated by a long-standing land dispute that underscores Ogbomoso’s identity and territorial claims. This legal battle, which lasted over eighteen years, centered on ownership of the surrounding villages and towns near the Ipeba stream. In 1967, the Ogbomoso community filed a writ dated 23rd January 1967 at the High Court of Western Nigeria in Ibadan, asserting that the Ipeba stream marked the boundary between the lands of the Ogbomoso and Oyo communities. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which, in its judgment delivered on 22nd June 1984, ruled in favor of the Ogbomoso community. This outcome not only settled the dispute but also affirmed Ogbomoso’s historical significance—challenging colonial-era boundary adjustments, such as the 1908 reallocation that ceded the land to Oyo, as well as decisions made during the Captain Ross administration.
The Ogbomoso beaded crown has long been a subject of controversy. The widely accepted narrative suggests that the beaded crown currently worn by the Soun of Ogbomoso resulted from the efforts of Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (1971–2022). However, while the Alaafin did present the proposal for the recognition of both the Soun and the Olubadan as crowned rulers, the developments leading to this recognition were largely driven by the determination and persistence of Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade. Since 1952, when the title of the ruler of Ogbomoso officially changed from Baale to Oba, the status of the office has continued to shape the authority and aspirations of successive monarchs. Upon his appointment, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade declared his intention to be installed as a crowned ruler, a move that sparked significant debate within the State Council of Obas, which argued that such an elevation could not be made unilaterally.
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Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who ascended the throne in December 1970, harbored reservations about Soun Ajagungbade Oyewumi. This period also coincided with tensions between Oyo and Ogbomoso. Despite efforts by the government and respected figures such as Canon J.A. Akinyemi and Justice Kayode Eso to mediate the conflict, Soun Oyewumi remained firm in his stance. As a result, the Military Governor of the Western State, Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi, declined to present the instrument of office to the Soun of Ogbomoso on Saturday, January 12, 1974. The controversy surrounding Soun Ajagungbade’s recognition spurred a broader push for the elevation of the Olubadan, which some sought to achieve through unilateral action. In response, the Governor intervened to prevent further unilateral declarations and to uphold the authority of the Council of Obas. This intervention led to the Council submitting a recommendation to the government for the formal recognition of both the Soun and the Olubadan as crowned monarchs. Additionally, the findings of the Oloko Commission of Enquiry reaffirmed the traditional supremacy over Ogbomosoland.
Professor Olaniyi is of the Department of History, University of Ibadan.
