Awujale Afidipote of Ijebu ruled over the merchant kingdom from 1850 to 1883. The coastal trade with Europeans was controlled by his kingdom. Ijebu had wealthy merchants who profited as middle men between the Europeans who docked at their ports and the people of the interiors.
The rise of Ibadan became an issue of concern to the awujale. In less than half a decade, Ibadan had emerged to be the most powerful city state in the interiors in military and commerce, The city was transformed by Iba Oluyole. The Bashorun himself was a produce merchant. His farm was so vast that a special market day was declared for him because his produce constantly crashed market prices for commodities. The wealthiest Iya Loja of the 1800’s also had her base at Ibadan, Efunsetan Aniwura. Aare Latossa’s ascension to the throne in the latter years however greatly worried Awujale Afidipote. Latossa had a penchant for war and a desperation to expand Ibadan to the coast.
1878: Afidipote ordered a trade embargo with Ibadan. There was to be no trade between both cities. Most especially, he forbade the sale or guns and ammunitions to Ibadan. This greatly frustrated Ibadan’s campaigns but also caused austerity measures at Ijebu. Some of the senior merchants and chiefs complained to the Awujale. He dismissed them and even banished some of them for daring to question his authority. One of the senior ranking chiefs exiled was Chief Mayungbe, a wealthy fabric merchant. Awujale confiscated his properties and wealth. He was said the be the third richest man in Ijebu at the time.
1881: The embargo had its toll on Ijebu merchants, they had no market for their European goods and could not buy the major produce they got from the hinterlands through Ibadan. After all attempts to get the suzerain change his mind failed, the merchant class and traders teamed with the most senior general at Ijebu to put pressure on Awujale Afidipote. His name was Onafowokan.
Onafowokan reached out to Aare Latossa. He sent sent gifts of cowries beads, clothes and farm crops to Awujale Afidipote and assured him on oath that he had no intentions of war with Ijebu. Awujale stood his ground that he would not open the boarders.
After all attempts to pressure the Awujale failed, Onafofokan declared open rebellion against his king. With the support of the merchants, he set up an army to invade the capital.
The royal guards along with the Osugbo, Ipampa chiefs and Ilamurin had stationed at the boarder of the capital at Imowo to intercept the advancing army of Onafowokan. They however panicked when they heardd news of the large army Onafowokan was marching into the city with the backing of the merchant class of Ijebu.
Under strong pressure, the Awujale compromised his position. Onafowokan gave his conditions that Awujale must dismiss his advisers and eventually requested that the Awujale must commit suicide.
1883: Awujale fled to Epe before Onafowokan reached the city. He was granted Assylum by Balogun Agbaje. Few years earlier, The Awujale gave the land of Epe to the exiled Oba Kosoko as he fled from Lagos after the bombardment with his war captain, Oshodi Tapa.
1885: The exiled king died at Epe . It was rumored that his death was as a result of depression. Having ruled the vast kingdom of Ijebu for many years, it was hard to adjust to the life of a common man.
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