I miss my suits —Alapa of Egun-Awori

The Alapa of Egun-Awori, Apa Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Oyekan Adekanmi (Possi III), who was presented the staff of office by the former Governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola (SAN) on December 31, 2009, is one of the few traditional rulers who ascended the throne from the pulpit. He speaks with TUNDE BUSARI on life as a minister in the church before ascending the throne and his experience as a king among other issues.

Is it true that there are issues causing disagreement among traditional rulers in your area?

Thank you for asking this question because you are giving me opportunity to publicly describe what you call issue as mere rumours and to dismiss it as unfounded. There is nothing like issue among us. You may recall that I also made this declaration recently at a summit held at ASCON before a large audience. People should not talk about what they don’t know. But as fathers we see this as one of the prices of leadership. Again, I am repeating it that there is no issue among us. We are okay and relating with one another cordially.

How many ruling houses exist in your town?

We have two ruling houses. One is Ojogun and the other one is Idiota.

This small number of ruling houses should make succession to the throne easy?

You are correct.  Apa has always lived in peace and that will not change because we are peace-loving people who go about our business peacefully and return home in peace. My predecessor spent 51 years plus on the throne. This is one of the evidence of being surrounded by peaceful people. Peace naturally boosts healthy living. So I can tell you that our strength in this town is peace. You must have observed that my people are always around me. Did you notice the number of people including my chiefs that accompanied me to the summit? That is what we enjoy here. We are a communal town where what affects one affects others. I am happy for the type of people God has made us.

Your predecessor spent almost 52 years on the throne. Do you see the history repeating itself?

What type of question is this when I did not create myself? I have no control over life and death. It is God, our creator that determines that. But as I said earlier when you have peace-loving people around you, you are happy. And when you are happy, you enjoy sound health which translates to long life. I am very positive that I will live long to serve my people and make Apa the town of our collective dream.

As a prince, you would have had your eyes on the throne while growing up?

You are not right. In fact, you are completely wrong because it never crossed my mind that I would be king. I am a prince. Fine! But I know I have brothers who must be interested in the throne. So, it was not in my future plans or dreams, so to say.

How then did you eventually emerge in spite of your disinterest?

Let me make one point clear to you on this question. Every prince must be prepared for the throne if called upon and particularly if God wills it. I told you, we have no control over issues like this. Only God reserves the right to make things happen over his creatures. That I was not interested does not mean I won’t take it up when it comes. That is exactly the story of how I got here.

Can you shed more light on it sir?

Can you believe I was the one that compiled the names of all candidates to be presented for spiritual screening? I wrote seven names; at that period, I was a minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. I only came home when there was need. So during the time of selection, I had the family mandate to compile the list. I wrote seven names. But our elders who knew better asked me to include my name to make it eight. I declined and told them that there was no way one of the names would not be picked. They insisted, reminding me there was an important reason I was named Oyekan at birth.

What happened afterwards?

I stood my ground but family matter is sensitive, especially as it affects the family heritage. I had to reluctantly add my name. Despite that, I had it at the back of my mind that before they reached the last name, they would have picked one. But to cut the story short, it never happened. I was later told that the Ifa priest told them pointblank that I was the one. The man was reported to have queried them on why they had not put my name forward. The rest today is history. We have to thank God for seeing us through.

Where were you when the news broke that you had been selected?

I was back in Ile-Ife. The news was not broken just like that. My friend, who is the High Chief Alawe of Apa, Emmanuel Afolabi Okeleye, spoke with me on phone and asked me that what I would do if I was selected. I would always dismiss the question and tell him it was not possible. On that day, I was called to come back home. It was the day the final football match in honour of my predecessor was played. My friend did not give any clue of the plan the community had. We crown kings at midnight in this town, I was there together with others including the kingmakers. I was totally in the dark until the head of the kingmakers suddenly rose, held my hand and everybody prostrated before me with the chorus: ‘K-a-b-i-y-e-s-I’

What happened next?

I could not believe my eyes. Tears rolled down my cheeks. My friend being the Alawe of the town was assigned to lead me to where I would observe royal bath. Normal sacrifice was made for the crown and I was afterwards crowned. I immediately entered Ipebi.

But in some towns crown comes after Ipebi. Why is your own different?

Crowning comes before Ipebi here. It may even interest you to know that I spent about 18 months in Ipebi.

You spent one and a half years?

Yes. But it went well. There is no sacrifice one should not make for his town. There was an issue in the process but at the end, we resolved it.

How did your coronation and official presentation of staff of office go?

It was a special day in the history of the town. Governor Raji Fashola was in office then. He personally came to perform the presentation here; he was accompanied by the deputy governor and other top government functionaries. The town witnessed a large crowd of eminent personalities. His father who was my uncle also played a great role in the town before the presentation. He came here and held meetings and brought everybody together. Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi also played a key role. He is the Baba Oba of Apa kingdom.

Aren’t you missing your life as a minister?

I am missing my suits but the palace is a higher responsibility. If you come here on Sunday, you won’t find me in the palace. I dedicate my Sundays for church service.

What about your social life?

I am okay because I am free among my people. They are always around me. People like High Chief S.A. S.A Ajose, J.S. Taiwo, Youth President, Adenran Cosmas, Secretary, Bamgbose Samuel and others don’t leave the palace. My Gbobaniyi of Epe Kingdom is also always around me. He has been a strong pillar of support. I always tell him that if I fail, the blame is his. We are so close because we understand each other well.

How do you unwind?

Do I relax at all? Even before I became the Oba, I hardly rested. I enjoy being engaged in one thing or the other. That is where and how I derive strength and pleasure.