Emergence of new Aare Ona Kakanfo

Tongues have been wagging since the Oyo Monarch, Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, pronounced Chief Gani Adams, national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland designate, 20 years after the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, 144th Aare Ona Kakanfo. TOPE MUSOWO writes
Since the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, disclosed that he will confer the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland on the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Gani Adams tongues have been wagging, including insinuation that the royal majesty may have been compromised.
But the monarch said he did not receive money from Gani Adams, before pronouncing him the new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
The monarch in a report said the newly installed Aare Ona Kakanfo was chosen based on his worthy track records.
The monarch who described Adams as the generalissimo of Yorubaland, said he has always stood in defence of Yoruba ideals.
The conferment of Aare Ona Kakanfo is coming almost two decades after the death of Chief Moshood Abiola, the immediate past holder of the title.
The Alaafin was obviously reacting to critics of his choice of Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo.
Adeyemi continues: “Adams was chosen after considering his antecedents as a Yoruba man”, adding that wealth was not a requirement for the office.
Hear him: “Money or material wealth is not considered before choosing an Are Ona Kakanfo. Abiola promoted everything that had to do with Yoruba race”.
“He was popular among his people and he was close to traditional rulers. So, Adams may not be as rich as Abiola but I can tell you he has all the qualities an Aare Ona Kakanfo should possess. He leads an organisation that is ever ready to defend the cause of the Yoruba race. Is there any Yorubaman that has such clout as Adams without being a politician today?”

Historical background
The position of the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba land by antecedent is not for the highest bidder, a position which by demand comes with sound might and spiritual profundity reserved only for a person of substance who have fought for the interest of Yoruba race.
The title can be trace back to the old Oyo Empire . Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today Western and North central Nigeria. Established in the 15th century, the Oyo Empire grew to become one of the largest West African states.
It rose through the outstanding organizational and administrative skills of the Yoruba people, wealth gained from trade and its powerful cavalry. The Oyo Empire was the most politically important state in the region from the mid-17th to the late 18th century, holding sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states.
Oyo Empire at its furthest extent with its capital as Oyo-Ile ,Yoruba was the language and religion as well Yoruba religion, with a monarchical system of government headed by Alaafin, Owner of the Palace
By structure, Oyo empire has the Aare Ona Kankanfo being in charge of the security of the empire, as generalissimo of all armies in Yorubaland, who was charged with the responsibility of protecting the empire against external attacks.
By virtue of his position, he was a king of sorts, and as such never resided in the same town with the Alaafin Oyo, the appointing authority.

How the mantle fell on Otunba Gani Adams
After the demise of Chief MKO Abiola from Abeokuta, the 14th Aare Ona Kankanfo who
died in July1998, there has been long search for the next person to step into the revered position, report has it that many of the people contacted by Alaafin rejected the position due to the myth that previous occupants did not end well.
Apart from Chief MKO Abiola who died mysteriously, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola from Ogbomoso, was killed in the 1966 coup d’état. The one before Akintola, Aare Latoosa from Ibadan died in the Kiriji War and Afonja from Ilorin also died in the Fulani war.
Other Aare Ona Kankanfo before them were Kokoro Gangan, Oyatope, Oyabi, Adeta, Toyeje, Kurumi. In all,14 of them have held the title before now and they were all believed to had mysterious exit.
This unfortunate happenstance must have informed the earnest prayer offered by a former Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinyele, who prayed that nobody from Ibadan city should be made Aare Ona Kakanfo again.
As if God has answered the late Alaafin’s prayer, Otunba Gani Adams is from Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, who by antecedent also qualify since the title is usually given to persons of substance who have fought for the interest of Yoruba race.
The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi took his time to look for another nominee for the title after several nominees turned down the offer.
The monarch recently announced Otunba Adams, who is also the promoter of Olokun Festival Organization, as the Aare Ona Kankanfo designate.

Peoples reaction to the announcement
Various reactions have greeted the announcement of Chief Gani Adams as the Aare Ona Kankanfo.
There are those who believe the cap is too big for his head, while other see it a well deserved position going by his activities in promoting the Yoruba race.
According to one of them who pleaded anonymity, he said the challenges facing the holder of the chieftaincy title starts from preparation to his installation.
He said, so many rituals would be performed before the nominee could be made Are Ona Kakanfo. Adding, “apart from other rituals that would be performed, the person would have his head shaven while numerous incisions would be made on the head.
All these preparations are to make him invincible if any war breaks out, and it would also give him courage. It was learnt that other worshippers of gods would donate powers of all sorts to him.
Personal Assistant to Adams, Mr. Segun Akanni, who confirmed the appointment quoted Adams as saying he was honoured to be chosen for such an exalted position in Yorubaland.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has explained why he picked National Coordinator of the OPC as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo designate of Yorubaland, saying it was based on his antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture.
The Oyo monarch said his decision to pick Adams after Abiola’s death was based on his vision for the Yoruba nation.
He, however, described Adams as one “equipped by God with the vitality of youth, agility of the long distance runner, unblemished patriotism, and the wisdom of Solomon. His antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture are unquestionable, and he has a clear vision of where the Nation should be in its cultural reawakening both at home and overseas.”
In a letter titled: ‘The making of new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland: Aare Ona Kakanfo Proclamation’, the Alaafin said.
The Monarch also described Adams as a fearless Yoruba man who had exhibited passion for defending the Yoruba people, culture and tradition.
“The choice of Adams was well thought out before a decision was taken. You may not place him beside Abiola in terms of wealth and other great achievements of the former Are Ona Kakanfos among the Yoruba people and beyond, but Adams has shown enough charisma to deserve the honour.
“If you have been observing him in the past many years, Adams attends all Yoruba festivals, irrespective of where they are held . He also promotes our culture through so many means including his annual Olokun festival.
“I picked him because he loves the Yoruba race and all the culture and tradition of our people. He has contributed immensely to upholding them. Whenever he attends these festivals, he goes with a large entourage and financially, he is always responsible for the cost. He does not attend in order to benefit financially.”
He said Adams may be young but he is also very bold and courageous, stressing that these are traits synonymous with an Are Ona Kakanfo .
According to the Alaafin, “Adams is a Yoruba cultural enthusiast. He defends the race anywhere he goes. Among his strengths is that he has strong supporters in every town in Yorubaland through his Oodua Peoples Congress.”
The position of Are Ona Kakanfo in Yoruba history makes it mandatory for us to hasten slowly, and that is what we have done. Manliness, courage, and patriotic zeal (not political ambition or opportunism), were three virtues respected in Yorubaland, even during the Yoruba warfare in the 19th century.
Adams in his acceptance speech had pledged to work for the development of the Yoruba nation.
He also pledged to build bridges across the region.
The Yoruba call heroes Akinkanju, interpreted as brave men and saviours; of their people in times of trouble. In socio-political circumstances, the Akinkanju is considered as vital to his society as the head is vital to the snake.
Meanwhile, some Yoruba leaders, including ex-Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who many had speculated would be chosen for the title, have congratulated the OPC leader, saying he deserves the title.

 

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