Like Kurumi’s tortoise journey, Kwara Governor’s ‘third term’ agenda may end in disgrace, Olofa’s involvement heartbreaking

The Latin phrase “Vox populi, vox Dei’, does not resonate with Abdulrahman Alade Abdulrasak, the Governor of Kwara State. His desperation to get a ‘third term’ in 2027 via the installation of Danladi Yakubu, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, has now become a do-or-die. Despite rejection of Danladi by several stakeholders in Kwara, including the recent failed recruitment of traditional rulers for the project. Abdulrasak is determined to forge on, Olukayode Thomas reports.

Introduction

Kurumi, an Aare Ona Kakanfo of the defunct Oyo Empire, was famous for embarking on a senseless tortoise journey that led to his waterloo.

It appears the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Alade Abdulrasak, is also embarking on a tortoise journey with his unpopular attempt to get a ‘third term’ via the installation of Danladi Yakubu as the next governor of Kwara State.

When they sang this song for Kurumi, ‘When the tortoise is going on a senseless journey, and you say to him, “Brother Tortoise, Brother Tortoise, when will you be wise and come back home? Ehen! The tortoise will say, not until I’ve been disgraced, disgraced, disgraced, not until I’ve been disgraced.’

Just as Kurumi tortoise’s journey ended in disgrace, Abdulrasak’s journey, which has hit several roadblocks already, bears signs that it won’t end well and will most likely also end in disgrace.

For a long time, Abdulrasak had been grooming Danladi as a successor under the guise of a power shift to Kwara North. But those with ears to the political ground in Kwara State dismissed his call for equity and justice for Kwara North as a smokescreen to cover for his ‘third-term’ agenda.

Abdulrasak started mobilising for Danladi using his close ally Kunle Sulyman and political groups in Kwara State, but the moves suffered several setbacks.

When their voices were submerged by the nays, Abdulrasak turned to members of the State House of Assembly. The legislators’ call for power to shift to Kwara North was also greeted with rejection by Kwarans.

This prompted Abdulrasak to turn to the Local Government Chairmen, but they also failed to galvanise the people behind Danladi. Instead of allowing the people’s will to prevail, Abdulrasak, like Kurumi, has refused to back down.

Background

The next ace on Abdulrasak’s sleeve appears to be traditional rulers who are not explicitly allowed to participate in partisan politics under the current framework of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

But determined to ensure his do-or-die move to install Danladi as the next governor of Kwara becomes a reality, Abdulrasak recruited Kwara North and South first-class traditional rulers, and at a meeting at the Ajase Ipo Descendants Union Hall, they unanimously declared that power must shift to Kwara North in 2027.

At the unholy meeting were the host, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, the Olupo of Ajase Ipo; Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, Olofa of Offa; Etsu Patigi, Dr. Umar Bologi; Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammad Kudu Kawu; Alofa of Ilofa, Olosi of Osi, Emir of Yashikira, Emir of Okuta, Olupako of Share, Etsu Tsaragi, Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Emir of Kaiama and Elerin of Erin-Ile,among others.

Speaking at the event, the host, Oba Alebiosu, reiterated the commitment of the traditional rulers in Kwara South to support the Kwara North 2027 agenda.

The Olofa of Offa reportedly said, “In Offa town, we believe in equity and fairness; what Kwara North are asking for is not too much, it’s their right to be the governor of Kwara State in 2027.”

Etsu Patigi, Dr. Umar Bologi,thanked the traditional rulers for listening and their readiness to support the Kwara North gubernatorial agenda. He reemphasised the importance of seeking the support of the Kwara South traditional rulers.

The Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Mohammad Kudu Kawu,who spoke in the same vein, stated that the Kwara North Agenda 2027 is the collective effort of the traditional rulers.

Insinuations that traditional rulers were acting on Abdulrasak’s monitised script

On the eve of the meeting, there were insinuations that the traditional rulers would meet in Ajase-Ipo to back the governor’s ‘third term’ and that they had been heavily induced with cash.

According to a report in Sahara Reporters, the monarchs are also being mobilised for a carefully arranged visit to President Bola Tinubu in Aso Villa, where they are expected to publicly back the governor’s preferred political arrangement for 2027.

Sahara Reporters also claimed Abdulrazak has approved a payout of millions of naira to first-class traditional rulers as part of a deal to secure their endorsement ahead of his 2027 succession plan.

Sahara Reporters quoted its sources as saying the trip to the Villa would be packaged as a “thank-you visit” to the President for recent federal security interventions in Kwara State.

The newspaper reported that each first-class monarchwould receive ₦100 million, split into two tranches: ₦50 million to be paid up front, ₦50 million to be released after the Abuja trip—but only if the monarchs delivered the expected endorsement to the President.

A senior government official told Sahara Reporters that the arrangement was “the most expensive royal mobilisation in the state’s history.”

Sources in Kwara State also revealed that Abdulrasak was himself in Aso Rock recently to sell his Kwara North Agenda, but the President was said to have been unimpressed by his arguments.

Backlash from Kwara and outside the state

Just like his previous attempts, Abdulrasak’s latest attempt to use traditional rulers to promote his ‘third-term ‘agenda was greeted with heavy backlash.

As soon as government-backed traditional rulers issued their statement backing Abdulrasak’s plan, another set of prominent rulers in Kwara South denounced the idea of zoning the governorship to the North as fraud.

“We do not know such a meeting or political convergence. We are not politicians, and we have no role in determining political outcomes. Our primary concern is the rescue of Oba Bayagan and other victims still in captivity.”

Tajudeen Lawal, the Coordinator of Kwara South Assembly (KSA), saidthe meeting was unprecedented.

‘‘The primary concern of Traditional Rulers across Kwara State at this critical state of the nation should be for them to jointly address the pressing issues affecting our communities, such as insecurity, poverty, and lack of access to basic amenities.

‘’We want to emphasise that this is unprecedented in the political history of Kwara State. There has never been a time when traditional rulers gathered to endorse a specific district or any candidate to lead the state, and such must be discouraged by all well-meaning Kwarans.

‘’Such a position by our traditional leaders could create malicious division among the people of the senatorial districts and pit them against each other. If not immediately disapproved by every right-thinking citizen, it will set a bad precedent and undermine the integrity of the traditional institutions.”

Kwarans in other parts of Nigeria are equally disturbed by the traditional rulers’ nosy attitude. The Lagos State Chapter of Kwara South Indigenes, raised the following questions for the monarchs to answer

• Are you acting out of fear of losing your staff of office as traditional leaders?
• How much were you offered that made betraying your people an acceptable choice?
• When exactly did the so-called zoning tradition begin in Kwara State?
• Where were you when Kwara Central held power for 18 years —and is still counting?
• What explanation will you give to the numerous Kwara Central aspirants already preparing for 2027, while you openly clamour for candidates from Kwara North, leaving out Kwara South?
• What happens if Kwara Central produces another candidate, pushing their hold on power to over 20 years by 2027, considering the number of aspirants showing interest from the district?
• Whom did you consult before making this premature and unrepresentative declaration on behalf of the entire Kwara South?
• Are you aware that your political influence does not cover or, at best strictly limited to your immediate community and does not extend across the entire Kwara South?
• Will you not be embarrassed if a Kwara South candidate emerges as the overwhelming people’s choice despite your political manoeuvring?
• Has Kwara South received enough development to justify denying ourselves a governor capable of accelerating progress in our communities?
• Why have you sold the honour of your stool so cheaply for personal interest at the expense of your people’s future?

For APC Kwara Integrity Group South, the party constitution does not recognise zoning in the selection of its candidates; rather, it gives all genuine party members a chance.

They described a reference to the 2023 presidential election to justify zoning as a careless argument.

‘’The APC did not zone the presidential ticket to the South. Every aspirant was allowed to enter the field and test their popularity. Tinubu won not because of zoning, but because of massive national support, deep structure, popularity, and political capacity.

‘’We reaffirm firmly, confidently, and responsibly that Kwara South is ready to produce the next Governor of Kwara State in 2027.’’

Olofa’s involvement in this shenanigan is heartbreaking

It is sad that Abdulrasak, a victim of political manipulation in his own political journey,which led to his movement from PDP to CPC and finally APC, could be orchestrating a plot to get a ‘third term’ via the imposition of Danladi on Kwarans.

But for this reporter, a bona fide indigene of Offa, it is soul-wrenching and heartrending that the Olofa’s name was mentioned when they were talking about the unholy alliance between traditional rulers in Kwara and Abdulrasak, coupled with allegations of financial inducement.

Probably, Olofa is a lantern that does not see itself, but the truth is, he was what the Yoruba people call Ato Oba tele koto joba.

As the economic head of Oyingbo and Daleko markets in Lagos, residing in a palatial mansion in Park Lane, Apapa, Mufu Dangote, as he was fondly called then, was already King of Wealth before he became a traditional ruler.

With utmost respect to other traditional rulers in Kwara, none could match his wealth. He is also educated and cerebral.

Whereas newly crowned Kings rely on their community when enthroned, the Olofa was spending millions on Offa before his enthronement, and more millions followed when he was enthroned.

He embarked on countless community projects, including turning the AfinOlofa and Offa Central Mosque into architectural masterpieces.

Peradventure Olofa does not realise it, Offa may be small in size and population, but the city is huge in reputation, accomplishment and others.

Any Olofa is a deity, sitting on a throne that dates back to 1397, when Olalomi, a hunter and Prince of Oranmiyan, became the first Olofa of Offa.

Honestly, I don’t know if any of the traditional rulers that gathered in Aajase-Ipo for the unholy endorsement of Abdulrasak’s phantom Kwara North agenda boast of such a pedigree.

It must also be mentioned that two of the very important Orishas in Yorubaland are from Offa: Moremi Ajasoro and Oya.

Centuries after her feat, Moremi, a beautiful and patriotic princess from Offa who got married to King Oranmiyan of Ife, still occupies s special place in Yoruba history.

Many films and stage plays have been made about Moremi, schools and monuments beyond Offa have been named after her, even the Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka named one of his daughters Moremi.

Oya, another Yoruba Orisha from Offa, also occupy a special place in Yoruba history.

Offa is also the centre of business and commerce. It has produced, and it is still producing many illustrious Nigerians in many fields of human endeavour, at home and abroad.

Its Owode Market is probably the biggest in the Ibolo Kingdom, and Offa Railway Station was one of the biggest and busiest railway stations in Nigeria in the golden days of Nigeria Railways.

A town with the highest number of professors in Nigeria, close to 200 at the last count, Offa is also the home of the President of Ghana, John Mahama in Nigeria.

An Olofa is not just the flagbearer of Offa indigenes in Offa alone, but the huge Offa communities in many parts of Yorubaland. There is hardly any community in Yorubaland that you won’t find Omo Olalomi or Omo Iyeru-Okin.

In fact, there are specific Offa settlements across Yorubaland. In Osogbo, around Ita Olokan after Oja-Oba, there is an Offa settlement.In Ibadan, we have Iyana Offa along Iwo Road, and inside Ibadan town, we have Oke-Offa, behind Loyola College. InEgbedore Local Osun State, we have Offa-Tedo.

Then we have huge Offa Communities in many cities in Nigeria, England, the USA, and other parts of the world.

Pedigree of past Olofas and JS Olawoyin

Oba Esuwoye must also realise that Olofas, before him, always fought for what was right, even if heaven would fall. About five Olofa lost their crown because they stood for what was just, instead of pecuniary gains.

The most notable was Oba Wuraola Isioye, who was deposed by the Northern Regional Government (controlled by the Northern People’s Congress – NPC) in 1957 because of his “pro-Yoruba activities” and the Action Group (AG) party.

Oba Isioye was forced into exile in Ogbomosho in 1959. But throughout his exile until he died in 1969, the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) paid his salary.

Josiah Sunday Olawoyin also exemplify a true Offa spirit of standing for what is right. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Region House of Assembly to Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria under the NPC government.

Olawoyin was aligned with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group. The Sardauna reportedly offered Olawoyin a ministerial position. Olawoyin famously refused, stating he would never betray the Yoruba people or Chief Awolowo, underscoring his principled opposition.

These are the people Offa indigenes will want Oba Esuwoye to emulate. The King of a city that prides itself in Laare Bure, which epitomises justice, fairness and zero tolerance for cheating and injustice, must not be remotely seen to be identifying with Abdulrasak’s ‘third term agenda’ disguisedas Kwara North Agenda.

Political correctness has no place in Offa’s dictionary. Our crown must not be desecrated and dragged into politics.

Choices before Abdulrazak

As for Abdulrasak, he can choose to be a follower of Alcuin of York, the Anglo-Saxon scholar, who, in a letter to Charlemagne (c.798 AD), warned against the voice of the people, equating it to mob insanity.

Alcuin stated that the voice of the people may not be the voice of God, but blindly following the crowd, stating that the “tumult of the crowd is always very close to madness”

But the backlashes that have greeted his ‘third term’ agenda from Kwarans and a first yellow card from Tinubu are clear signals that he is embarking on a tortoise journey.

A second yellow from Tinubu, which equals a red card, means his journey has ended in disgrace, like Kurumi’s journey.

Olukayode Thomas, an indigene of Offa, writes from Lagos.