'Who holds power can destroy,' Islamic cleric Akeugbagold warns Alaafin, Oyo indigenes

Image caption: Sheikh Taofeeq Akeugbagold

‘Who holds power can destroy,’ Islamic cleric Akeugbagold warns Alaafin, Oyo indigenes

Khalid ABRAHAM

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Popular Islamic cleric and former chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Taofeeq Akeugbagold has warned the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oyo indigenes to be wary of confrontation with the government noting, “Whoever holds maximum power can destroy.”

Akeugbagold gave this warning in a viral video citing two previous instances the path of confrontation ruined and downgraded Oyo in the past.

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The preacher, an indigene of Oyo, recalled the deposition of Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II in 1954 saying the father of the immediate past Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III suffered the cruel fate because of his confrontational posture against the government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He noted fighting government is ill-advised in the present dispensation stressing government wields absolute power that could destroy things irredeemably just as he noted traditional rulers needed to be wary of being used by members of opposition parties who would goad them to be defiant to the government in power for their own selfish reason and then vanish after dire consequences reared their ugly heads. He maintained whatever had been damaged during that time would not be restored again.

“NCNC party deceived Baba Alaafin Adeniran to be confrontational against the government of Baba Awolowo telling him he was being disrespected. This led to quarrel with Bode Thomas who died during the melee and out of anger Awolowo deposed Baba Adeniran. That effectively lowered the rank of Alaafin, thereafter, NCNC vanished but what was done could not be undone.

“Also, Baba Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi supported Akala to be governor but they parted ways, Alaafin Adeyemi became confrontational aggravated by those with sinister motives, and how did it end? Akala initiated plan to institute Alago of Ago-Oja chieftaincy in Oyo to diminish the power of Alaafin and also, he introduced rotational chairmanship in the Traditional Council. What Akala wrote is what the present government is implementing, who knows what the present governor would put down too as future plan that will further reduce the prestige and power of Alaafin? Alaafin has been relegated from the federal level to the state level and now to the local level just because of confrontation with those in government, believing they are nobles, they are untouchables. Quran even counsels against fighting government.

“The Oyos should be cautious; they abuse people, they lack diplomacy and finesse, things are settled with wisdom. Little wisdom, little foolishness is how you can live life successfully, confronting government is ruinous. The Oba of Oyo and the Oyo people are repeating the same mistake. Oyo must learn to use politicians and not being used.

“Let me recall this which I personally heard at an event years ago. A King declared pretentiously that governors have only four years but that as Obas they are removed only by death but when the governor made his remark, he replied the Oba that though they had only four years but whatever they destroyed in those four years, ten generations after might not be able to redeem it. So, why are we repeating the same mistake in Oyo? Government holds overwhelming power controlling all soldiers, policemen, don’t face it, if you do, things might go out of hand. I suggested once when Senator Rashidi Ladoja was about to be installed as Olubadan of Ibadanland that we should foster friendliness with him but the idea was spurned. We need to be wary of confronting government.”