Those, who had dismissed the report that the trio of the Olofa of Ofa, Oba MuftauGbadamosi, the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba SaheedElegushi and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba AdewaleAjayi, would attend the Iwo Day 2018, were caught unawares by the presence of the traditional rulers in the town penultimate Saturday.
That turnout of the royal fathers, to the people of the town, was additional credit to the report sheet of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, who could not hide his excitement at the solidarity shown to him by the three monarchs from Kwara, Lagos and Ogun States.
To further show his happy mood, Oba Akanbi caused Oba Elegushi to have a pleasure ride on a horse with both receiving applause of the Iwo people and acknowledging the reception. The highly elated Elegushi said he had never stepped the soil of Iwo in his over 40 years, expressing gratitude to the reception which Iwo people extended to him in the company of his host, Oba Akanbi.
Oba Elegushi further remarked that he could not have missed the Iwo Day having shared some important things in common with the Oluwo since they met. He added that he had looked forward to the day after he received the invite to be royal guest to Oba Akanbi, pointing out that his visit was not only eye opener to him but also demonstration of unity among Yoruba traditional rulers.
“It is a great pleasure coming down to Iwo, the domain of my friend, the Oluwo, a traditional ruler who is difficult to ignore. Since my arrival, it has been fun being with him. His hospitality reflects his outward disposition. You can see me walking the same way he walks. He is a 21st century monarch and loved by his people going by the way we are being received on the road. This is not going to be my last visit here, God willing. My entourage too here are also impressed being in Iwo for Iwo Day,” he said.
Going by the size of the traffic on the former IDC Primary School, Araromi, which hosted the event, Iwo Day has grown to annual festival which sons and daughters of the town always look forward to. The crowd was unbelievably large that the security agencies deployed to the venue were confronted with hard choice in controlling the people.
On the field of the newly upgraded primary, social clubs as well as trade unions were seated under respective canopies in their uniform fabrics. Cultural performances also held amidst cheers.
Important personalities from different walks of life graced the occasion. The Osun State governorship aspirant under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Akin Ogunbiyi was in attendance as well as others, including Senator Mudashiru Hussein who represented the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Former aide to the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Debo Badru, Former Director of Bureau for Communication in the state, Alhaji Semiu Okanlawon and Osun West Senatorial District candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adelere Oriolowo and others.
The quite entertaining atmosphere, however, changed when a delegate led by the former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti arrived the field in a bus. Adeoti was governorship candidate for the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in September elections.
His arrival ignited his supporters who had long waited for him on the field. They burst into thunderous chorus of ‘Sheuu’ as the luxury bus made it to the venue. The comperes of the programme had to suspend the proceeding to allow the return of normalcy.
Dressed in uniform Ankara fabric, Adeoti, in company of House of Representatives candidate, Oluomo Sunday Akere, Senate candidate, Omoba Dotun Babayemi and other ADP candidates in the next general elections, went to the spot where the Oluwo and other traditional rulers were seated. They filled in line paying homage to the riyal fathers amidst the deafening noise from the field.
The near chaotic situation on the field put the comperes under unbearable pressure as they were repeatedly shouting on top of their voice for calm.
While that was going on, suddenly, the Oluwo rose from his seat and was immediately followed by the Olofa, the Elegushi and the Akarigbo, all of whom headed to their respective vehicles.
Though it was tough for the security operatives to clear the road for their vehicles due to the intimidating crowd, the traditional rulers were driven in convoy from the venue to the Palace of the Oluwo about a kilometre away.
In his usual way on such occasion perhaps to further test his popularity, the Oluwo stood in his open roof white jeep while the slow motion to the palace lasted.
Asked on the reason for his action, Oba Akanbi’s said he could not wait until the event was turned to political gathering, pointing out that leaving the venue was the best way to save him and the town of likely embarrassment before his guests some of whom came to Iwo for the first time.
“I stand by my action because I am the father of all the politicians in the town. I am in a position to smell danger when danger is lurking. The dust coming from the field was too much for us under the pavilion. I saw my guests covering their noses, which is not good. There is no host that would want his guests to return to their towns with regret. What I did was and still is in order,” he said.
The unexpected departure of the traditional rulers, it was learnt, took shine off the rest of the programme, as it was revealed that some of the prospective donors to the town development fund also left.
A community leader, who gave his name simply as Hadiat, lamented at the outcome of the event, especially the untimely exit of the Oluwo and his guests, saying it was not a good mark for the image of the town. The retired public servant, said sign of the incident had been seen few days to the event when, according to him, news filtered out that the Oluwo might not attend the Iwo Day.
He recalled that the 2017 edition of Iwo Day was also surrounded in controversy until the day when the Oluwo eventually brought the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan to witness the ceremony.
“I think it is high time we realized that the king is the head of his town, and he must be given that honour. There is no doubt that Kabiyesi is popular in the town although everybody can not like him. It is our duty to support him in whatever he wants to do for the town. Turning Iwo Day to political arena is not right but Kabiyesi should not have left midway, after all he is the father of the town,” he opined.
A youth mobilizer, Yusuf Ola Gold called on the people of Iwo to eschew politics of retrogression for the overall interest of the town. OlaGold also regretted the incident but added that he was more concerned about the fund that would have accrued into Iwo development project on that day.
“The Oba Elegushi I know would not leave that field without dropping good money for the development project. The Olofa too is known for his philanthropy, which means the Oluwo was careful in inviting the three traditional rulers for the event. May God make us to see reason why development of Iwo would be given high priority than politics,” he stated.
At exclusive reception held inside the palace, the Oluwo applauded all his invited guests, aside the Olofa, Elegushi and Akarigbo, wishing them safe journey back to their respective destinations.
and then