By Bola Babarinde, South Africa
The Awujale of Ijebu Ode is not just another traditional title. It is one of the most revered, historically rooted, culturally grounded and spiritually fortified thrones in Yorubaland. The Awujale stool represents centuries of disciplined leadership, deep cultural wisdom, uncompromising integrity and the sacred heritage of the Ijebu people. At a time when many traditional processes across Yorubaland are being manipulated by money, politics and sycophancy, the vacant throne of the Awujale stands as a final test of whether our civilization will continue with dignity or fall to the modern age of decadence.
Ijebu Ode, one of the oldest Yoruba kingdoms, is a historic commercial and cultural powerhouse that flourished long before colonial influence. The Ijebu nation, strategically located between the coast and the hinterland, became a central trading hub connecting different empires and territories. Their sophisticated governance, taxation systems, economic networks and disciplined communal organization made Ijebu Ode one of the most organized and prosperous city states in precolonial West Africa. The Awujale institution, which dates back to the era of Oba Olu Iwa and Oba Obanla, has always been a sacred trust and never merely a political position. Every Awujale was expected to embody the highest moral values, spiritual discipline and unwavering loyalty to the customs that define Ijebuland. Over the centuries, the Awujale became the custodian of justice, the guardian of tradition and the spiritual backbone of the people.
This long and dignified history explains why the kingship process in Ijebuland is considered sacred, peaceful and orderly. The Awujale is not chosen based on popularity, wealth or political influence. The selection follows ancient protocols guided by the ruling houses, kingmakers and the consultation of Ifa to ensure the most qualified, culturally grounded and morally upright candidate emerges. Traditionally, the Yoruba nation has always been admired as one of the most organized, cherished, educated and sophisticated peoples in Africa. Their culture promotes truthfulness, discipline, progressiveness and the spirit of Omoluabi. Their methods of choosing kings were historically fair and spiritually guided. Although the Olubadan system is today seen as the most organized and peaceful, all Yoruba kingdoms had sincere and transparent traditional processes for selecting their Obas.
Unfortunately, in recent times, these sacred traditions have been corrupted by money politics and political manipulation. Individuals are now rewarded with crowns for their loyalty to politicians rather than for their worthiness or cultural understanding. Some Obas openly behave in ways that disgrace the throne. Some act like thugs, attend every type of frivolous party including a one year old’s birthday, and speak without decorum. Even worse, some openly denounce the traditional beliefs and rituals that make an Oba a respected cultural figure. It is a grave indictment for any king to abandon his ancestral spirituality and replace it with a foreign religion that is less sophisticated than ours. This must never be allowed again in our land. Any king who openly rejects the customs that make him a custodian of culture should be considered unfit for the throne. Such disgraceful behavior weakens our heritage and must be confronted without hesitation.
With the Awujale seat now vacant, the Ijebu people, the Omo Alare, must stand firmly against any form of imposition or manipulation. The Awujale throne is not for sale. It is not for politicians to distribute and not for opportunists to hijack. If an unqualified, unscrupulous or culturally compromised individual becomes Awujale, the dignity of the entire Ijebu nation will collapse and their heritage will suffer irreparable damage. Whoever emerges must vow never to abandon Ijebu traditions or replace them with foreign ideologies. Yoruba culture is ancient, sophisticated and deeply rooted. It must never again be treated as inferior. A king who rejects his own heritage betrays his people. Yoruba land must draw a line and any Oba who denounces his traditions should be dethroned to restore sanity to our cultural system which has already been adulterated by foreign influences.
Political interference in traditional institutions has grown largely because many Obas depend on government salaries and allowances. No true custodian of culture should be financially subordinate to elected officials. For Yoruba culture to regain its dignity, first class Obas must consider rejecting government salaries and allow their communities to support them as was done historically. The embarrassing trend of kings kneeling or lowering themselves before governors must end. The recent incident in Ogun State, where a monarch knelt before the governor until Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku intervened and corrected the governor, exposes how far some traditional rulers have fallen. Such shame must never become normal in Yoruba land.
The coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan was conducted with dignity, order and total respect for tradition. The coming coronation of the Awujale must meet that same standard and even exceed it. Ijebu Ode must rise above political influence, monetary corruption and personal ambition. The right candidate must be selected through the ancient and sacred procedures that have guided the kingdom for centuries. No political power is greater than the will of the people. No amount of money can overpower culture. No influence should ever be allowed to stain the Awujale throne.
The Ijebu nation stands at a critical crossroads. If they defend the sanctity of their sacred stool, they protect their identity and preserve their proud history for future generations. If they allow corruption to dictate the process, they will lose the moral authority that has defined them for centuries.
The Awujale stool is sacred. It must remain sacred. Every Yoruba son and daughter must defend it now before it is too late.
