Like many Nigerians, I saw a viral video in which the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, knelt down to greet the Emir of Ilorin, Oba Kolapo Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. I had just finished viewing an interview on Insight Media Multilinks’ Facebook page about an Ede local who had been beaten black and blue by three soldiers over a land issue. According to the Ede native, he entered the palace soaked in blood and saw Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal, who did not pay any attention to his plight. He went on to say that the individual who sold him the land said that it had been handed over to the monarch as alleged.
Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal is no stranger to land issues as alleged. If I’m not mistaken, he should have more than 20 land-related lawsuits with the people he rules over as alleged. I was talking about his recent land issues with another colleague when I saw the viral video. This video has angered a lot of Yorubas, particularly the Oyos, as well as Ede locals who admire Oba Lawal as a monarch.
From Facebook to Whatsapp to Instagram to Tiktok, there has been an ongoing cycle of criticism, abuse, and tutelage. I had to leave several Whatsapp groups because I couldn’t handle reading the angry expressions of those who believed Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal had desecrated Timi Agbale’s throne. Some people find it difficult to accept a weakling assuming the throne of a warrior and powerful individual.
In the age of social media, you cannot deny individuals their right to an opinion. I read numerous comments on the matter and felt sorry for Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal. I had to replay the video to match the exact actions and criticisms that followed. I also rewatched the video to figure out who kneeled down. A part of me did not believe Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal would kneel down for the Emir.
However, I was mistaken, but I was not disappointed. I had seen a video in which a monarch was accused of sleeping with one of his subjects’ wives. I saw a video of a monarch wrapping a powdered substance that appeared to be cannabis. I saw a video in which a monarch assembled some indigenes in front of the residence of a chief who had wronged him and chanted attrition songs.
Have you forgotten the image of Oba Gandhi, Soun of Ogbomoso, kneeling in front of Pastor Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God? I witnessed a well-known Oba in Osun State enter a Buka – a local eatery – and watch as his teeth struggled with red meat. I witnessed a monarch being tried in court for land grabs and other related crimes.
Have you seen the video of Oba showering cash like drug dealers at a party? That is, the new low people we enable to wear our predecessors’ crowns and sit on their thrones have emerged on the global stage. Oba Adesola Lawal has not mocked anyone; rather, he has joined the ranks of questionable Yoruba monarchs who receive lectures on how royals act on social media.
I researched public reactions to the scandal. I noticed that the majority denounced the king’s behavior, whilst the minority, who understood the deed was bad and decided to defend the king, were not as vocal. Two people contended that Ede as a town does not deserve contempt because her Oba lacks decorum and is not anchored in royal habits and etiquette. They not only chastised the monarch for staining the Yoruba race with his actions, but also taught him that a king should not act like a slave or regard himself as an inferior in the company of kings.
When a friend forwarded the video to me, I did not act as if I had seen it before. He captioned the video with ‘when will our kings stop distracting us?’ I urged him to forget the issue and see it as one of the errors human beings are prone to commit. Our kings are not spirits or angels; they are humans. They are not prone to mistakes. I told him that Oba Lawal is not a clout-chaser.
Aside from the several land lawsuits he has in court, I don’t believe he has been openly involved in any subject that would undermine the crown or the traditions he is supposed to safeguard. My friend followed my advice and returned to his work. I argued that Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal has a problem of low self-esteem. He was intimidated by the pomposity and over-bloated influence in the palace of the Emir of Ilorin.
He contacted me less than three hours after we finished talking and asked me to read a piece he had forwarded to my Whatsapp page. I complied with his request and instantly opened Whatsapp on my phone, where I saw a statement issued from the Palace of Timi of Ede by one Tijani Abdulraham Adekilekun. I hadn’t read the press release before scrolling down to see who signed it. Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal’s media assistant, Tijani Adekilekun, signed the statement.
Adekilekun? I expressed concern. A few months back, I wrote an exposé on a public official who was assigned as Governor Adeleke’s aide but refused to leave. Despite being appointed governor’s adviser, Adekilekun continued to serve as OSBC state house correspondent, according to my findings. Days after the exposé, OSBC replaced Adekilekun with a new correspondent, however it is unclear if he quit or not. Why is Adekilekun still working as Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal’s media assistant? I pondered.
I ignored the messenger and focused on the message. When I read the palace’s press statement, I withdraw my sympathies. The statement referred to two things. One, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal refuses to acknowledge that he has desecrated his forebears’ throne by bending down for another king who has historically referenced as an invader, cultural manipulator, and conspirator.
Two, the embattled monarch failed to acknowledge the new learnings, knowledge, and education that aggrieved Yorubas had received following the release of the video, particularly how they refreshed his memory that he must recount, admit, and revere the sacrifices of his forefathers, the same people who created the throne he now occupies as Timi of Ede.
Rather than the media assistant admitting, succumbing to, and appreciating the thoughts and sentiments of all Yorubas who were offended by Oba Muniru Lawal’s action, he provided an insulting justification that is more sad and frustrating than the real action. He also vowed to deal with detractors and concerned Yorubas who believe Oba Muniru Lawal has not done well.
We can take the media assistant’s garrulous, haughty, and arrogant behavior, but we cannot condone Oba Muniru Lawal’s violation of Yoruba customs and disrespect for the throne he holds as the Timi of Edeland. My appeal is straightforward. Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal should ask for the forgiveness of Ede people and all Yorubas. He also needs to return to the Ipebi to learn the true history of his people, Timi’s kingship, and, most importantly, his forebears’ friends and foes.
Oba Muniru Lawal should cease spitting saliva in the faces of Afonja, Timi Agbale, and other gallant warriors who fought for the relevance and durability of the throne he currently holds. Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal should avoid exposing his scrotum to flies. And he should cease tying corns to his waist to prevent playing clown for cocks. Ade a pe lori. Bata a pe lese. Fuel subsidy o ni cease motor Oba sile. I wish Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal well.
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