My position on Moremi —Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi (Telu 1) will be one year on the throne in a few weeks time. The outspoken traditional ruler speaks with TUNDE BUSARI about the disputed Yoruba heroine, Moremi and other issues.

January 16, 2017 will mark your coronation anniversary. How is life on the throne?

As a Muslim and devout one for that matter, I believe that all that has happened before and in the last one year are the manifestations of my destiny. Don’t forget that Muslims believe in article of faith in which belief in destiny is prominent. All of us belong to God. Traditional rulers are only representatives of God. God is the Supreme Being. So, I believe in destiny, which means I am not carried away by whatever has happened to me since I ascended the throne. Anyway, I thank God for the eventful one year.

How eventful has it been?

The last one year is loaded with a lot of events and activities. I personally initiated some of these activities while I endorsed others. But at the end of the day, my town and my people are the beneficiaries of these events. I don’t think I should start pointing at those events because I know they are in the public domain through the media. I am happy with what God has used me to do for my people. The beauty of it is that I always receive testimonies and feedback on the impact of those events on the life of average indigenes of Iwoland. I am confident that we have started well despite the fact that there are also some challenges. But those challenges are not enough to slow me down or discourage me from identifying with my people who look up to me not only as their father but also as their hope for the transformation they had long looked for. I thank God for using me to breathe new life into their hope.

Two traditional rulers differed publicly on Moremi and her role in the history of Yorubaland. Have you a take on the controversy?

As a traditional ruler, I must have a take on the issue because it is our issue. It is Yoruba issue which every Yoruba traditional ruler must be concerned about. Of course, I am not that comfortable that the two royal fathers went public on the matter but I am happy that the tempo is down now. I think it is good to allow it to lie low. We don’t need any controversy in Yorubaland. What we need is progress and movement from where we are. We are supposed to live up to our name as a pace-setter region. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo elevated Yorubaland to higher height which other regions followed. So, our progress is much more important to me than any other issue.

But for the sake of clarification, what is the place of Moremi in Yoruba history?

I hope I won’t be misunderstood. I have no problem with either of the sides on Moremi. Their claims depend on their side of the history as regards the role Moremi played at a stage of their life. To the Ifes, she was an heroine for the sacrifice she made for the interest of the people. At the same time, the Ugbo people believed she was a betrayer for leaking their secret, an action which led to the end of their raid on Ife. Can you now see that the two sides have right to their respective claims? The issue is like figure six. If you look at figure six from another angle, you see figure nine. That is the analogy on the issue. But I must clarify as you requested that because Moremi was an heroine she should not be worshipped. She can only be celebrated.

Why did you say this?

My answer to this question is that if she were to be alive today, she must kneel before a traditional ruler as a man must also prostrate. But get me clear, this won’t take away the respect for her. This is my position on it.

You earlier said Yorubaland does not need controversy but to some people, you are controversial. Aren’t you?

(Laughter) Am I controversial? Where is the controversy coming from? I don’t think I am. But if you insist  I am, then prove it. If you are able to prove it then I will agree with you.

It is said that you always make statements that trigger issues?

Is that what you mean by controversy? Making statements that generate reactions is a natural thing. As Yoruba people, engaging in intellectual discourse is our culture. They would always ask questions on any issue. Have you asked why Yorubaland is the home of majority of newspapers in this country even before independence? Whether I am a traditional ruler or not, public statements are naturally bound to generate different reactions. What I also realise in that context is that people tend to even over react when they hear something that sounds odd to them. For instance, when I came up with emperor title, some were not comfortable with it. Yet they did not ask questions on how I arrived at it. I want to say that the essence of my statement is to encourage people to go and research on my claim to establish the truth or falsehood in them.

Looking back now what can you say really excites you since you ascended the throne?

I have so many things that make me very, very happy on daily basis. Where should I start? Is it the kids that daily line on the streets to say ‘kabiyesi ooo,Telu I’? If I pass the streets ten times in a day, they won’t stop to troop out to cheer me up. This particularly gives me joy because among these little children are presidents, governors, ministers and other future important personalities. Is it the feeding scheme in the palace? Is it cloth bank? Is it my visits to the wards? Is it the multi-billion naira medical equipment? Is it the National Open University I rehabilitated and furnished with computer system? All I have done have brought joy to me. Did you observe on your way from Ibadan that vehicular traffic on that road has increased? How did it happen? It is as a result of reopening of the road from Iwo to Osogbo. I just felt that my people found it difficult to access Osogbo and rose up and mobilized other traditional rulers to fix the road in our little way. Vehicles are back on that road now.  The commissioner of police visited me and passed through the road. Police patrol teams are on the road now. The AIG (Assistant Inspector General of Police) of Zone 2 few days ago was here after he had passed the road from Osogbo. The road has since attracted important figures and opened up Iwo again. Here is the road abandoned in the past 15 years. I have every cause to thank God.

You appear to me as an unusual traditional ruler?

What is unusual in feeding and clothing people who need these basic things but who don’t have? You know that fingers are not equal coupled with the current economic recession. An Oba is not father of all for nothing. He must walk the talk and show it that truly he cares for his children. That is my vision on coming to the throne. My joy is the number of my people I make happy on daily basis. I have asked God not to give me money I won’t spend on my people. What is unusual in keeping away from grabbing land of my children? I am not here for that. I am here to increase the wealth of my people. I don’t touch land at all and I won’t touch it. I am here to serve them and this is what I will spend the rest of my life doing on the throne. Whoever is not happy with this should better accept it as my destiny. Blackmail will not take them to anywhere. Rather it will boost my fame because God is in control of this throne.