By Dare Adeleke
The present Alaafin of Oyo continues to mistake arrogance for dignity, haughtiness for nobility, and notoriety for celebrity. He appears convinced that the loud booing of the crowd is nothing more than clanging applause.
One is forced to wonder whether the new Alaafin squandered all those years abroad shovelling snow rather than learning the customs, restraint and civility of the Yoruba. Since his coronation, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade has behaved like a bull in a china shop, crashing headlong from one controversy to another in a crude bid to draw attention to himself. In doing so, he seems to forget that the crown he wears is sacred – a vessel of pride, respect, nobility and flamboyance that every Yoruba is born with, even more so one who embodies royalty.
His conduct so far must be a deep disappointment to the people of Oyo, who can only watch the hubris of their new king in quiet disdain. Indeed, since this rather strange monarch ascended the throne, he has carried himself like an unrecognised Baálẹ̀, desperately seeking legitimacy through excessive attention-seeking, petulant and embarrassing behaviour at public outings and gatherings – a king exhibiting what looks like a historic personality disorder (HPD) played out on a royal stage.
The Alaafin of Oyo may have indulged his shenanigans with the Ooni of Ife, but he must not extend this supercilious dance of the absurd to Ibadanland.
The people of Ibadan have been a no-nonsense race from the beginning of time, and that has not changed.
Having failed to satisfy his deep-seated need to be the centre of attention, after playing the role of ‘drama queen’ at the palace of the Ooni of Ife; the Alaafin has now embarked on a path of insolence towards the revered Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja.
For his information, in case the in-born Omoluabi in him was erased during his self-exile abroad, perhaps while doing menial jobs in the land of the white people – the man he now seeks to measure shoulders with is a statesman by every definition of the word: a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a former governor of Oyo State, a man of solid academic pedigree and a formidable private-sector player. In plain terms, the Olubadan of Ibadan is not his mate. HRM Oba Ladoja, towers above him in hierarchy, stature and social standing.
This strange Alaafin of Oyo, whose devious ways so far, suggest a tyrant in training rather than a custodian of peace and dignity, must desist from spreading his chicanery to Ibadanland.
The Olubadan is in no way subordinate to the Oyo throne, and the Alaafin should not take the people of Ibadan for granted. He would also do well to seek help for his apparent historic personality disorder (HPD).
If he feels that the recent title bestowed on Okanlomo Engr. Dotun Sanusi, is making him run like a loose camel in the Sahara, we may have no option than to send him back to Canada. I can only advise the braggart Alaafin to keep to himself, if he cannot give his throne any respect.
In continuing his quest for forced recognition by behaving like an actor in the fictional ‘Game of Thrones’ movie, will only earn him scornful disrespect and he may be recorded as the worst Alaafin in modern times. As it stands, his bizarre antics have irritated nearly everyone and his conduct is more befitting of the peasant class than royalty.
Dare Adeleke is an Ibadan prince and writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
