Oba AbdulRasq Adeshina Adenugba, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye ,a first class king is the traditional ruler of Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State who rode from banking hall to the palace. A banker turned traditional ruler ascended the throne in 2004. Oba Adenugba, a peace lover since ascension has experienced some heart-wrecking challenges but this fine face Kabiyesi choose to stay strong. ANTHONIA DURU was in his palace recently and he opened up on his 15 years’ reign, his battles as a king, his social life and he also condemned some of his colleagues who engages in partisan politics.
Some traditional rulers were believed to have desecrated the throne during the last general elections as some of them were involved in partisan politics, some were seen on campaign grounds with political parties’ uniforms campaigning for candidates of their choice. How will you describe this action by your fellow custodians of culture and tradition?
There are traditional rulers and there are traditional rulers. Ideally,the first point of call for any politician or political party before they campaign in any domain is the palace but that doesn’t in any way imply that they have the support for the monarch. It is just a show of respect for the monarch of the land. It is a very shameful thing for any traditional ruler to allow himself to be used by any politician. At times we understand that reason some monarchs do the biddings of the politician because they were enthroned by the politician, be that as it may be, it is still a very shameful thing for any monarch to engage in such act. I am proud to say no king of Ijebu Traditional Council will engage in such act. We are disciplined and our paramount rulers frowns at any act of indiscipline. Politicians are subjects of traditional rulers and so it is out of place for any monarch to endorse a politician, anyone who does that is doing so out of sheer ignorance I presume. Any traditional ruler who gets involved in partisan politics is putting himself in trouble.
You once said those close to you are bent on frustrating you as a king. Is this still the case?
Yes, you are very right. It is these same set of people who from time to time institute legal actions over flimsy things against me. They often forget that God enthrones kings. that further reveals the cruelty of man. There is a certain man who over the years I helped him financially and otherwise to the extent of me securing an employment for his daughter in the Local Government and I was paying his daughter from my pursue. Something came up and this same man masterminded his other relatives to charge me to court. I wasn’t too surprised when I learnt he was the brain behind the legal action because the heart of man is desperately wicked. After one of the cases in court he came to me and said he will like to join me in my car, I declined not because of his act against me but I was scared if anything should happen to him thereafter, I may be indicted. Aside this reason, I would have gladly obliged giving him a ride. I have forgiven all of them because I didn’t ascend this throne by my power but God has so deemed it fit to elevate me, who am I to hold grudge against anyone? Be that as it may, I still have so many subjects who genuinely loves me.
Since you ascended this throne you have lost two of your wives. Has this in anyway weigh you down?
We are all humans. happenings like these are bound to weigh one down but in all these I take solace in the fact that Allah is a good God. I have lost two Oloris since I became the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye. My consolation is in the fact that they both lived well, they both contributed greatly to my attainment in life. They impacted my life positively and even as I speak to you now, I am still benefitting from their good deals. They lived well and this gives me joy always.
Any plan to take another wife?
I have one Olori now and I don’t have any plan to take another. What for? I don’t need such considering my age. Marrying another wife involves lots of commitment and which I cant afford now.
