Government’s interference in selection of obas weakening traditional institution —Oba Adeyiga

Oba Sikiru Adeilo Adeyiga is the Onirolu of Irolu-Remo in Ogun State. In this interview by OLAYINKA OLUKOYA, he speaks on his 25-year reign as a traditional ruler, the relevance of the traditional institution, Nigeria’s unity, among other issues.

You recently rolled out the drums to celebrate your 25th coronation anniversary. How will you describe the journey so far?

I must first give glory to almighty God for giving me the privilege to sit on my forefather’s throne these 25 years. The journey has neither been too smooth nor too rough, but God has been there for us. For instance, despite the fact that the seven kingmakers unanimously nominated me as the most suitable candidate among the two names sent to them from our ruling house to fill the vacant stool. Some people took the matter to court and this dragged on for about 13 or 14 years. At the end of everything, the Lord manifested himself.

In those days, the choice of a traditional ruler was determined by the Ifa oracle. These days things appear to have changed. Money is allegedly the in-thing now. There are allegations that the traditional stool goes to the highest bidder. What is your take on this?

I don’t know about that. You are the one telling me that now. I was picked by the Ifa oracle when consulted by the kingmakers. The oracle pronounced my reign will be smooth, peaceful and engender development and we thank God for that.

Could it be one of the reasons why the traditional institution is not being respected as it was in time past?

The place of an Oba is very sacrosanct and should therefore be accorded the due honour and respect as commanded by the almighty God. In all circumstances, I am of the opinion that the traditional institution must be accorded due respect and dignity that it deserves. We should worry less about what an individual does or doesn’t with the position.

How best can this institution be strengthened to further serve the populace?

In those days, an oba’s selection had no government interference. It was such that people who were selected would run away but since the government started getting involved in who becomes a traditional ruler, things became unacceptable. This really needs to be re-examined. It is better when the selection is left for the family and the kingmakers. Many are of the opinion that there are too many government-imposed traditional rulers and this tends to lower or weaken the traditional institution. There should be less of government interference in the process of selecting traditional rulers.

What are your achievements over the years?

My major achievement is the enthronement of peace and tranquility of the community because there can’t be any major development when peace is absence. In the fight against unemployment, we have also been able to encourage some of the indigenes of the town to establish cottage industries to provide employment for our people. We had a micro-finance bank which was mismanaged but we are working round the clock to resuscitate it because of its impact on our people. We are also working on a multi-million naira ultra modern palace for the community. I remain committed to using my reign to rally more support for the development of the community. It is on this note that I want to thank and commend our indefatigable governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his avowed commitment to massive upgrading of infrastructure, especially in the area of roads across the length and breadth of Ogun State. We are also quite optimistic that just as he had promised, he would help us complete the on-going Ilisan/Irolu/Ago-Iwoye road. We shall also be eternally grateful to the governor if he can assist with Ode/Ilara/Irolu/Okun Owa road. This road cuts across the three local government areas of Remo North, Ikenne and Odogbolu. The impacts of these road projects on our community and environs are really unquantifiable.

We recently had our 57th independence anniversary and many are of the opinion that the country still crawls. There are agitations on the need for restructuring just as some parts are equally asking for secession. What in your own view can be done to return this country to the path of greatness?

We must be ready like never before to pursue sincerity of purpose and remain faithful to ourselves both in words and in our actions. We have really come a long way to be discussing disintegration; we should continue to see ourselves as brothers and sisters. We are better as one indivisible entity than any other arrangement. I however back the call for restructuring as it will allow each region to develop at their own pace and even enhance healthy competition just as we had it under Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The handlers of our democracy should henceforth seize every opportunity to work for the prosperity and betterment of the country. After all, we don’t have any other country of our own, so we must make it work.

As a Muslim, how do you handle the various traditional demands of your office?

I don’t have any problem with that because even when the traditionalists come around, they are here to pray, likewise the Christians and the Muslims. So, there is no clash anywhere.

While growing up, were there signs that pointed to the fact that you would be king?

Not really, except that around 1958 when I was around 18 years or so, I followed a friend to consult an herbalist to actually help me in getting out of my unemployment predicament. But to my dismay, after consulting the oracle, he bowed and said ‘Kabiyesi.’ He then told me to go and see my parents with a specific instruction but I was too overwhelmed with my unemployed state to have taken any serious notice of what he said.

What will you consider as your major challenge so far?

The court case that dragged on for such a lengthy time of about 14 years was a bit challenging but God eventually gave us victory. I also wish there are more resources to do so much more for the people, again by and large we thank God for what we have been able to do and still trust Him to do much more for the people.

We must all rally round for the development of our various communities. The government can’t do it all and that is why we must all rise up to support the government in bringing development to our towns and villages.