A Needless Supremacy Battle

IN the entire black race, Yoruba as a people are known with a well organised social system based firmly on custom, culture and tradition. Before the British came, the system of administration was monarchic, in which the Oba served both as Head of State as well as the Chief Justice of the community.

The beauty of the monarchy was respect for well organised hierarchy. Hence, when we say that an Oba functioned both as Head of State as well as the Chief Justice, it was not as if each community district head acted in this capacity.

On the contrary, there were so many levels and tiers of administration which looked into such matters like divorce, land dispute and other civil cases like contractual debt settlement with corresponding sanction by lower cadre of administration. The system of justice was one in which opportunities for redress were open through institutionalised appellate system from the lower to middle cadre until it got to the apex court, usually presided over by the paramount traditional ruler of that kingdom.

That was the beauty of the Yoruba political system under the famous Oyo Empire. That was a time when the Alaafin was the Head of State of the Yoruba nation. Even at that level, the check and balance system, which is well embedded in Yoruba culture, did not confer absolution on the Alaafin. Each paramount ruler was the head of his own kingdom with all executive powers.

It is important to stress that paramountcy or hierarchy in Yoruba Obaship was not determined by militarism or militancy, but by custom, culture and tradition of the Yoruba. Neither was it determined by cosmopolitanism. Maybe there is a need for the Yoruba to learn from the Danfodio dynasty which had not allowed any kind of civilisation to undermine its structures or heredity.

For instance, Gwandu is not the capital of Kebbi State. But that has not reduced the status of the Emir of Gwandu as the foremost ruler in Kebbi State and indeed the entire Caliphate. The ruler of Birni Kebbi does not have to challenge the authority of Emir of Gwandu just because his domain is the seat of government.

In Niger State, the Etsu Nupe who resides in Bida is the permanent chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council without the Emir of Minna raising any eyebrow just because his town is the seat of government. With that, all this dust being raised in Oyo State between the Olubadan and the Alaafin is uncalled for.

The position of Ibadan in the industrial/economic development of Yoruba land is not and can never be in dispute. But just as the city of Ibadan is important to the Yoruba race in commerce and industry, so also is the institution of Alaafin preciously important to the Yoruba tradition.

- Samson Olubiyi, Ijebu-Ode.