Much Ado About Nothing!

AYOBAMI B. UTHMAN

In recent times, the social media has been awash with many narratives about the vacancy created by the demise of the late monarch of Ilemona, the headquarters of Oyun Local Government Council of Kwara State. The story may not have made headlines even in major newsprints if not for the fact that the story has everything with the Aide-De-Camp to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf. It is a pointer to another incontrovertible fact that fame comes with a lot of pressures, misgivings, uncertainties as well as many underline assumptions. Otherwise, the story of the small town in the Southern Senatorial District of Kwara State should not have made it to the media, needless to say its sensational colouration.

It is an open and shut fact that President Bola Tinubu’s ADC, Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf is a ‘prince’ from Kwara State. His father, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi, the Elemona of Ilemona joined his ancestors on Saturday, May 18, 2024 and ever since then, there has been endless insinuations about the appropriateness of the Presidential ADC succeeding his late father. Rightly so, as a son of the soil and princely too, he is more than qualified, like every other prince from other ruling houses to ascend the throne of his forefathers, just like his late father did years back. However, the many stories flying up and down around the obaship stool are one that require that things are put in proper perspective so that the public can be guided.

The argument out there is if his military career allows him to accept a kingship title even while in active service. Does the Nigerian military architecture have a provision for the current situation? Of course, the Nigerian Army in its operational guidelines codified in its ‘Traditions, Customs and Ethics of the Nigerian Army’ clearly states it that a Nigerian Army officer or a soldier can take up the leadership of a traditional stool. Such an officer also has the option of delaying such assumption of office until a time convenient for him to officially retire from active service. It therefore suggests that in the eventuality of President Tinubu’s ADC, Lt. Col. Yusuf becoming the choice candidate of the Oba-in-council, he can appoint a regent or constitute a committee that will be in charge of the community affairs until his retirement.

So, there is no need for any hoopla about the Elemona throne. It is all much ado about nothing.