Regrettable Tussle Of Obalufe’s Stool !!! By Rotimi Makinde

I have read so many comments and arguments about the lingering issues as regards Obalufe’s stool in Ile Ife.

I have privately chatted and as well, put calls through to many in this regard and this includes the Principals and some opinion Leaders.

Yoruba and her language is funny. Each of our words are usually loaded with heavy meanings!. Having sensed the volatile nature of the case and considering the fact that the case is now in law court, one have to be conscious and careful in making remark. So, this explains why no one should blame the like of me for keeping silent on the matter. Infinito!

The exalted office of Obalufe of Ile Ife, also known as Ooni Oode or Orunto of Ife, while in some quarters its described as “Oba to ni Ile Ife.” The title is therefore very important and very significant in value, as a second in command to the most prestigious, Ooni of Ife, who by history is the supreme head of the entire Yoruba race.

In recent times, this exalted office of Obalufe of Ile Ife has been engrossed in very serious controversy shaking the community to its foundation and finally it’s subjected to series of litigations, yet, subsisting!.

This is a serious matter before our generation. Very avoidable if we had learned from history. So much has therefore been said and written by eminent and illustrious sons and daughters of Ile Ife, much demand and suspense by every concerned citizens of the community.

We have equally read so many arguments both for and against the scenerio. Some of them are pleasurable and several others unpleasant, even derogatory and insulting statements to the players, the captains and the spectators. *”Omo to ku, lo ni ka ko popo bo iya e to nbi abiku.”* Most of these flying texts shall continue to live with us with its scars!.

All in all, they are all avoidable and may be unnecessary if we had taken reasonable caution from the onset to do the needful and for posterity’s sake and to set the record straight…

Please find below, my sincere personal opinion which, of course, may not be palatable to those who remain rigid and very fanatical about this temporary life we are. While I shall leave the “statement of fact” to the law court which now seems to have the competent jurisdiction to adjudicate for justice and come up with fair play and final verdict on this matter. I believe I will not be wrong to restate this fact which is embedded in our culture long before my existence.

” *A ki ti kootu de, ka se ore”* – Meaning, we don’t return from court to make friends.

The set up and legal system of any civilised country is very unambiguous about this…Someone must be pronounced guilty in any dispute before the court. In this circumstances, I personally would have love a case of “No winner, no looser”…For I was born because of my community, I would love to see any of the contestants ruling with peace and on undivided kingdom and with cordial relationship with the overall Royal Majesty of Ile Ife and in this case, Ooni of Ile Ife.

Thinking ahead, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi incidentally, is also one of the defendants in this controversial case. He may be found guilty on this matter and the court may have to order him to reverse himself. That, to the plaintiff, may be the anticipated justice, but, ahead of it, is likely joy for him and may be sorrow for the loser and by extension, for Ooni of Ife. The case may also be decided in either way…Will the defendant rejoice and enjoy ruling on a kingdom where substantial part of Ile ife like Oruntos will be unhappy? This is just why I remain worried and silently pray for God’s intervention.

As a citizen, a former privileged representative of the cradle of Yorubaland. I honestly would love to rejoice with the winner while thinking ahead of what would be the fate, feelings and consequences of the losers…I remain curious.

Thinking back, I would have love us more if we had allowed maximum utilisation of the traditional way of settling disputes. “Esu lo je ebi.” That seems to be the most commonly used terminology to soft land any dispute in Yorubaland and experience have shown that it helped.

Let me be quick to say this: whosoever emerge victorious in this matter, I am duty bound and shall continue to hold in high esteem, due respect and honour as a citizen and for the fact that i know what it is to disrespect any monarch or elder in the society. So, no dispute about that.

One should be concerned about what becomes of image and integrity of the stool of Ooni.We should think ahead of when he may have to sit to decide on any reconciliation exercise and may be beyond the soil of Yoruba kingdom.The dignity of the stool should be of paramount importance to all of us.I feel for the aggrieved and naturally I feel for any eventualities on this matter,but more concern is my patriotic feeling for what is to become of the image of the stool as presently occupied by Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

On a final note, let me appeal for peace, let me appeal for justice in a way that head or tail,there would be no much to lick for all of us. Let me finally appeal for magnanimity and patience as we await God’s intervention.