Photo Caption:Oba Lukman Kuoye,the traditional ruler of Imasai..source of the communal crisis
This is a rejoinder to Prince Kayode Oni’s article written with the clear intention of instigating Yewa Obas against Imasayi’s peace-loving people and destroying *Mr. Raheem Ajayi aka Baglo* because of political differences.
I was coming from Federal Polytechnic Ilaro on a beautiful morning when the foundation of the New Ilaro Central Mosque was being laid. I was surprised when I saw Olu of Ilaro, HRM Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, a pastor, holding a shovel and sweating profusely while parking red soil into the foundation of the mosque. I am also aware that Oba Olugbenle contributed financially to the building of the mosque.
This is the peak of humility, tolerance, communal service, and leadership par excellence. Many Obas in Yewa land are like that. If you meet Alaye of Ayetoro for once, you would love his personality. He is humble to a fault. Obas in Ogun West are people of integrity.
There is a video of Yewa Obas advising Oba Kuoye to leave Balogun Imasayi alone, that he could create an office like Bamofin and others to run the office without removing the Balogun. Did he listen to their advice?
I want to ask Kayode Oni if Oba Kuoye possesse any of those traits. Kayode Oni should ask the Christian Association of Nigeria, Imasayi Branch, how Oba Kuoye destroyed the association and banned them from organizing crusade.
Kayode Oni should also ask Imam Imasayi, Shaykh AbdGaniy Bisiriyu; Chief Imam of Oja Odan and Oloja of Oja Odan, HRM Engr. Oyebanji Adetunji Olowobese about this. Oba Kuoye went to Oloja’s coronation to rain abuses on the Chief Imam of Imasayi, but nobody prosecuted him for that. Imagine Kuoye, saying, “Ekilo fun Gani.” Can Olu of Ilaro refer to Shaykh Tajudeen Adewunmi, Chief Imam of Ilaro, with a derogatory statement of “Ekilo fun Taju”?
What happened in Imasayi has nothing to do with Ogun West Obas because Oba Kuoye himself has been advised severally, but he has refused to heed.
I asked Kayode Oni to tell me where the Constitution empowers an Oba to arrest through the chiefs. Shakiru Alaluwo was almost killed under a trump-up charge of abusing Olori.
Kayode Oni is educated enough to know that *respect is usually earned, not demanded*
Recently, President Tinubu was asked whether he surfs the internet like Facebook and others, and he replied, *I don’t want to give myself hypertension, the little I did, I found out they abuse me tired* Leadership has a price to pay and one of it is not to be appreciated. Was there a time Tinubu ordered anyone to be manhandled, molested, or assaulted? President Tinubu would not do it because he is a leader with a large heart.
In case Kayode Oni has forgotten, Imasayi is just one single family. An injury to one is an injury to all. Oba Kuoye should not expect respect, loyalty, and recognition from any sensible Imasayi because of his tyrannical rule.
Kayode Oni said Baglo should be arrested because Olori was abused. Kayode Oni should tell us his position when *Ameen Adetunji Ajayi* was brutally murdered in his house. Has Kayode Oni called the police to arrest the culprits instead of fighting a harmless Baglo who has not been in Imasayi in months?
I want to inform Kayode Oni today that the Nigeria Police did an excellent job by apprehending the culprits. It is Oba Kuoye who denied my brother the ultimate justice despite his contributions to Imasayi.
Can Kayode Oni compare Oba Kuoye to Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni, Aribio 3, a seasoned administrator employed by Odua Investment to manage Union Beverage Ltd He was loved by all. When Adesola was going around the town, you would hear the shout of Kabiyesi. Oba Kuoye can’t compel people to love him. Those who are with him are there in body, not through the heart. The earlier he realised this, the better.
Can Kayode Oni as a seasoned educator come out to tell the whole world that he has never been abused or looked down on by a student in his teaching career? Did he manhandle them or hand them over them to the police? As an educator, when Oba Kuoye was threatening under the camera that he would make life unbearable for some sections of Imasayi indigenes. Did he caution Oba Kuoye?
Lastly, I want Kayode Oni as a Christian to purge himself of the hatred for the Ajayis. Madam Juliana Ajayi and Madam Comfort Elegbede were co-wives of Otunba George Adebiyi Oni. Whatever happened between them should be left for God to judge. It is an open secret that Kayode Oni nurses an unparalleled hatred and animosity against the Ajayis. We advise him to check himself.
In case Kayode Oni did not know, he is at liberty to ask those around. Kayode’s paternal grandmother, Madam Comfort Fafunke Elegbede, was living with her elder sister, Madam Ashabi Adetola Elegbede, who married Taiwo Ateloge Ajayi, Baglo’s great-grandfather in Ajayi’s compound. Pa Peter Olugbemi Oladapo, popularly called *Kengbe* and *Pa Badiru Ajayi*, Baglo’s grandfather, were cousins. Politics should not blindfold him to forget the Larunsi-Ako family’s affinity in Sawonjo.
Despite Kayode Oni’s Cold War, two prominent Ajayis, *Chief Moshood Adisa Ajayi* and *Chief Kole Ajayi* stood like the rock of Gibraltar behind his Uncle, Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni from the beginning of his intention to the throne and throughout his reign. We, Ajayis, don’t pay evil with evil.
Ajayis and their siblings like Orebiyis, Ajibodes, and others have never betrayed Imasayi and have contributed to her development and nobody can stop us from advancing her progress because our patriarch, Ajayi Awoleesu Oyeleye never betrayed as a true son of the soil. Anyone who behaves otherwise might not have a historical investment in what is presently called Imasayi.
Imasayi Oni Baaje. Awon to fe baje, Ki Olohun magba fuwon
*Alhaji Haruna Adelanwa Ajayi*
Adelanwa is a brother and sibling of Ameen Adetuji Ajayi butchered to death last July.
