Police vow to resist enthronement of Yoruba ruler in Ilorin

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

AS the momentum for the enthronement of a Yoruba ruler heightens, the Kwara State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Gazali Lawal, has threatened tougher time for any organisation or individuals behind the action slated for October this year.

Lawal yesterday in an interview with The Guardian In Saturday in Ilorin the Kwara State capital said, such a group irrespective of its socio-cultural or political lineage would be repelled with full force, if it failed to jettison the proposed plan.

The OYC in a statement in Akure, Ondo State by its General Secretary and National Publicity Secretary, Olusiji Abosede and Tunji Ariyo, advanced that historical facts and population strength warrant a Yoruba ruler in Ilorin.

Members of the outlawed militant Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) had in November last year attempted an invasion of Ilorin, with an alleged mission of installing a Yoruba Oba, in a town dominated by over 70 per cent Yoruba population, but the states police command thwarted the bid.

Ilorin at present, is under the emirate system of governance headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin.

Reacting to the OYC plan, Lawal said: "members of the group are stupid. We will have plenty of time for them. But this time around, it would be a total onslaught on them.

In a related development, President, Afonja Descendants Union, (ADU) Alhaji Abdulkadir Olola Kasum, has sharply criticised the alleged stance of the political kingpin of Kwara, Dr. Olusola Saraki, on the issue of traditional rulers in the state.

Saraki, had at the weekend supported the improvement of the status of six embattled chiefs within the emirate, but negated the clamour for staff of office for them.

This position, according to political analysts, would though enhance the financial status of the chiefs, but to the detriment of their independent political power under the emirate.

The chiefs are Mogaji Aare, Balogun Fulami, Gambari Ajikobi Alanamu and Baba Isale.

He said: "Chieftancy grading exercise everywhere in contemporary Nigeria, Kwara State inclusive, is almost invariably accompanied with presentation of staff of office as a symbol of authority of the new chief to act and enforce his orders.

"Dr. Sarakis neo-feudal theory has no precedent either in modern day Nigeria nor in the colonial past. His sole purpose is to safeguard the interest of the ruling alien Fulani by keeping the traditional power of the emir intact."

He added: "the concept of staff of office was introduced by Lord Lugard as far back as 1903 to enhance his policy of Indirect Rule through the local chiefs/emirs/obis. All chiefs graded by his administration in those days were presented with staff of office as a symbol of recognition and authority to act on behalf of himself, his people and the colonial masters."

Yoruba in Ilorin to install leader October 6

From Banji Ayoola, Akure

ARRANGEMENT to in-stall a Yoruba traditional ruler for Ilorin has been intensified with the Oduduwa Youth Confederation (OYC) fixing October 6 for the coronation of the Afonja (or Onilorin) of Ilorin.

A statement distributed in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the OYC, an umbrella youth organisation formally informed President Olusegun Obasanjo, the National Assembly and the entire nation of its determination to "correct an historical error."

The statement was signed by the organisation’s General Secretary, Mr Olasiji Abosede, and its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tunji Ariyo.

It supported the communique issued at the last Thursday’s meeting of Afenifere asking for a lasting solution to the Ilorin leadership crisis.

The statement reads in part: "While we have noted with reservation the attempts in certain quarters to play down the gravity of this problem, we believe, in unequivocal term, that only a redress of the leadership error can bring lasting peace to Ilorin.

"Aside from the historical facts which confer monarchical supremacy on the Yoruba in Ilorin, the fact that they are a massive majority is an indication that under a just and equitable arrangement, they have a right to their own leader."

The statement described the prevailing situation as "a monumental folly that has to be corrected now."

On the planned coronation, the OYC said it was awaiting the selection of Omooye (Crown Prince) by the Afonja Descendents Union(ADU).

"The Yoruba nation shall crown this (the prince) on October 6, 2001 under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of hooliganism. There is no law in Nigeria that forbids people from selecting their own leader under a peaceful environment.

"If government can approve a head each for Urhobos and Ijaws in Warri in the presence of the Olu of Warri in the name of peace, there is no reason under heaven why we should be stopped in October.

"It is hoped that President Olusegun Obasanjo will act with spirited urgency. This is just the start of the beginning. We shall use every legal and diplomatic means available to us to overturn this historical aberration. Afonja l’o n’Ilorin (Ilorin belongs to Afonja),"the statement added.

The group urged all Yoruba to de-recognise the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, as the authentic head of the town.

According to the group, "Gambari is at most the Emir of Fulanis in Ilorin. The Afonja (or Onilorin) of Ilorin is the authentic owner of Ilorin.

"We recommend that the government should conduct a plesbiscite. The result, we believe, will stun the present supporters of the status quo. Onilorin is the supreme head of Ilorin."

Ariyo said that the OYC was in agreement with Afenifere’s position that a political solution to the issue be adopted, saying: "We want a Yoruba Oba in Ilorin.

"Whether the government accepts it or not, we would install a Yoruba Oba by October 6 under peaceful atmosphere."

According to the group’s spokesman, "historical facts show that Afonja was the original and de facto head of Ilorin who was killed by Alimi and his supporters in a palace coup. If we keep quiet now, it is a disservice to the Yoruba nation.

"In the name of peace, there is no reason, even if it is going to be a measured or calculated compromise to have the Emir of the Fulani people and the Afonja or Onilorin of Ilorin for the Yoruba people,"Ariyo said.

He appealed to all Yoruba political leaders to support the coronation plan.

His words: "One major advantage that the Hausa-Fulani have over us has been that their political leaders always strongly speak in their interest whereas Yoruba political leaders shy away from this duty. We and National Publicity Secr are, therefore, appealing to all Yoruba political leaders to forcefully speak in favour of our interest and stop blaming the North for our woes."

He, however, said the orgnaisation would not want to become confrontational. He explained: "We want to be subtle as we explore all peaceful means to achieve our goal."

But Ariyo added that the strategies would be kept under wraps.

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