Remembering a titan, Chief Emmanuel Oke a.k.a. Oke Mountain of 'fire on the mountain' fame

Remembering a titan, Chief Emmanuel Oke a.k.a. Oke Mountain of ‘fire on the mountain’ fame

Femi OGUNLANA

Today, August 6, 2025, marks 34th year of the passing of a political titan, Chief Honourable Emmanuel Olaniran Oke (Elewo). Great men have trod the earth, their deeds conferred greatness on them, ensuring they assumed immortality. To this category belongs Chief Hon Oke of Elewo compound, Bosunla area in Ogbomoso, Oyo state. He lived in the age of heroes and he became one. His heroism defines him, he achieved greatness. He saved the day on one day of trouble, he put his life and politics on the line, to save the political career of his kinsman and brother, late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola GCON. But for Chief Oke the story of Chief S.L. Akintola would have taken a new trajectory, he could probably have been regarded as a villain in history, ending up with an unwanted history. But Chief Oke acted well the script thrust him by fate, fearlessly and timely, to save the reputation of Akintola. He acted in accordance to his name “OKE” (MOUNTAIN), he rose like a mountain in the day of trouble to thwart the machinations of political opponents of Chief Akintola.

It was May 1962. Chief Akintola was the Premier of the Western Region since 1959, he had led the region into Independence. But the time was treacherous, the Premier had parted ways with his predecessor and erstwhile leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was sulking over his new role as Opposition Leader in the Federal House of Representatives. Inevitably, crisis erupted, between the two juggernauts. Their political party, the Action Group (Action Group) had split. Akintola along with other estranged leaders founded another party NNDP. The AG leaders, his former comrades, sealed his fate (or thought they sealed his fate). He was to be removed as Premier. The Governor, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife, was pressured by AG to effect his removal. Sir Aderemi moved, the move was foiled by Akintola, as he approached the court, which set aside the directive. The matter was ordered to be decided by a vote in the House. If they secured the majority vote, Akintola would be impeached! They determinedly set out to bring this about.

Late Hon Oke

Then, the historic role Chief Oke Mountain was to play was scripted. On the day Chief Akintola was to be sacked disgracefully using the instrumentality of the legislature to impeach him as Premier, unjustifiably, Oke, a member of the House, from Osun Division, representing Ogbomoso constituency, was to instigate the equal design to smash the uncharitable scheme.

The Chamber was filled to capacity, the galleries were occupied too, among whom was Chief Awolowo, who went to see the fall of Akintola. But their plot was torpedoed, by the singular bravery of Chief Oke Mountain.

Hon Oke took control of the moment in the House, a chamber set up to “destroy” his kinsman, his party man. He was sitting in the back row, then, he jumped on the table, shouting, “Fire on the mountain, run, run, run!” He chanted, “Fire on the mountain” repeatedly, indeed by that, he overacted his part – he was merely to tap the table to alert another member in the know to seize the mace so as to nullify the day’s session but in battle mode, he overplayed his assigned role; nonetheless, the goal was achieved. His action disrupted the sitting that terrible day. Commotion, confusion and fracas ensued, Oke was hopping from table to table, chairs were flung in all directions, the riot police who mounted security, fired teargas canisters, people including Awolowo, ran helter-skelter through every ventilation holes to escape the Armageddon. The day was saved, Akintola was spared the despicable record of being an Impeached Premier! Thanks to the heroic of the “Elewo” of Bosunla, who acted in the manner the time demanded. The enemies’ plan was extra-legislative and he acted in same extra-legislative manner, outwitting them, and foiling their subterranean machination. The mace was broken (instead of being seized) by the member who was saddled with the task, thus, the conspirators who had deployed huge financial war chest to buy votes to secure the majority failed woefully.

Meanwhile, that incident climaxed into the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on May 29, 1962, and Chief M.A. Majekodunmi was appointed the administrator. Akintola however, returned, re-energized, as Premier, six months later.

Chief Oke was an educator of repute; he retired as principal of Ajaawa Baptist Grammar School, Ajaawa, today’s headquarters of Ogo-Oluwa local government. He also became an hotelier, founding Standard Garden Hotel at Takie, which was thronged by socialites. Chief Oke was one of the movers and shakers of Ogbomoso community, a founding father of Egbe Tepamose, and his contributions to community development led to his being conferred with a chieftaincy title by the late Oba Emmanuel Olajide Olayode. He also inaugurated an Egungun – Eti Yeri, which was an entertaining Egungun.

He was a self-made man, a hustler from childhood, he was said to have sponsored most of his education by himself. He taught in many schools as Agric Teacher – primary, modern and secondary. Many of his students now occupy high positions including the reigning Alajaawa of Ajaawa, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji and current principal of Anglican Grammar School Ogbomoso, Mr. Abiodun Olowe. He got himself in several endeavours as he also operated a photo studio at Oke-Ola area of Ogbomoso. He held several other positions, he served as Oyo state (old) chairman National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and was appointed by President Sheu Shagari as chairman of Nigeria Railway Corporation.

A family man and community leader, he attained fame as “Oke Mountain.” Another of his contemporary was Chief Magbagbeola, of Magbagbeola Printing Press fame, who died this year.

Chief Emmanuel Oke lived a fulfilled life, dying on August 6, 1991.

A remembrance message by the children, obtained by ogbomosoinsightonline.com, reads, “You left us on the 6th day of August 1991… 34 years ago.You are remembered today by the entire sons and daughters of Elewo family Bosunla, Ogbomoso. Continue to rest in peace.”