New Olubadan: A new season in Oyo politics?
In the course of a seminar organized by Sociology department of the University of Ibadan in the early part of 1998, a doctorate student made some curious observations about traditional leadership in Ibadan, the capital
city of Oyo State. In a study he carried out, he noticed that Sarkin Sasha, head of a suburb in Ibadan populated by people of northern Nigerian origin, and who was under the paramount headship of Olubadan of Ibadan was rising faster in profile than the paramount ruler himself. The Sarkin Sasha, it was pointed out by the researcher had begun to move around the city with a larger retinue, louder siren blaring as he was accompanied around by government uniformed men as well as had a much longer convoy of vehicles than the Olubadan. All of these were signs that Sarkin Sasha enjoyed more influence with the
power that be in the country at that time. Mistakes as regard protocol had even begun to be made at official events as the Sarkin Sasha was occasionally mentioned ahead of representatives of the Olubadan, a situation which led to grumblings in Ibadan traditional circles.
Known for a fact that Sarkin Sasha was a personal friend of the occupier of Aso Villa at the time and as such a regular visitor to Aso Villa in Abuja, a lecturer from the Sociology department of the same University had commented on the researchers observations that depending on the relationship people have with power that be, their profile may rise or fall. He pointed out that these things are a matter of seasons. If there was a change of power in the country, he had posited, it would affect power relation in the traditional leadership setting of Ibadan. Later events showed he was right and that may have something to say as regard what has happened in recent times in the
politics of Ibadan in particular, and that of Oyo State in general.
Not long ago, the last Olubadan of Ibadan died. Another one is about to be installed in August this year. But even before he got to the throne, the king elect, Oba Samuel Odulana, has begun to express some strong views about politics in Oyo State and the role of Lamidi Adedibu, the so-called strongman of Ibadan politics. Now Lamidi Adedibu is one man who needs no introduction. It may however interest many to know that if all things are equal, he may one day become the Olubadan of Ibadan apart from being the strongman of its politics. Imagine the effect of such powerful combination on politics in Oyo State. There is this possibility because Adedibu is the fourth in line to the throne. The peculiar pattern of selecting Oba in Ibadan is what brings this about. A closer look may give a better understanding.
The man reputed to have founded Ibadan left old Oyo, the capital city of Oyo kingdom long ago and he was known to the then Alaafin of Oyo. When he later settled in the present day Ibadan he sent words back to the Alaafin that he had settled at Eba Odan, that is, near a (savannah) grassland, which today is called Ibadan. Many people came to settle in Ibadan in those days and the influx (many of them professional warriors came because Ibadan was warlike) was such that it was not possible for anyone to claim to be an original inhabitant.
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