@doggone

As it is well known that controversy always accompanies anything that Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, does, his recent installation as the Agbaakin Abobagunwa has not been an exception. For now, no one even knows if he was installed as the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Owu Kuta, or the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland, or even the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland.

For the record, the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was the last Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland. The stool has been vacant since the popular Fuji music creator died about a decade ago.

DNA gathered that Obesere had approached the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, to help him to the stool since he was an Ibadan indigene.

The Kabiyesi was favorably disposed to the idea, but he advised Obesere to follow the due process.


Olubadan Of Ibadan


Due Process

To install anyone to any traditional stool, it was expected that a letter of intent would originate from the palace. The secretary to Olubadan was said to have done this. DNA source, however would not give the man’s name so that it won’t be traced back to him that he had revealed the information.

“The problem, however, was that Kabiyesi did not know that any letter had been written because he wasn’t allowed to see it,” said the source.

In the letter, the date of installation was not given. How that escaped Obesere’s attention is a mystery. But in the letter, it was stated that Obesere would be installed as the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland.




Abass Obesere


Error

Excited that he had got a formal letter of confirmation from the palace, Obesere rushed into activating programs for the installation proper. He paid for advertisement, especially on radio and before long, his fans and well wishers became aware of the big event. Clothes had been sold as usually done by Fuji musicians, while entertainment of guests had also been paid for, all targetted at the May 2, 2019 date that had been widely announced in various medium by the celebrant. Kabiyesi’s subjects, who had access to radios, also heard about the event that was set to take place in the palace and started sending congratulatory messages to the traditional ruler. Surprised that an event, which he had not fixed a date for, was already generating such a massive interest from the public and his subjects, the palace again invited Obesere to Ibadan.

It was at the palace that he was asked who gave an approval for the date he had been announcing in the media. “Besides, letter has not been written to you yet,” Kabiyesi told him. Obesere presented the letter he had received. Kabiyesi was shocked, but he reprimanded the secretary for not consulting him about it first. “What saved the secretary was that he did not put a date for the installation in the letter. Obesere probably didn’t notice that omission, which turned out to be very important,” revealed DNA source.




Ooni Of Ife


Damage Control

To prevent what was going to be a huge embarrassment to himself, Obesere ran to the Olowu of Owu Kuta, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, for help as he had expended a lot of money on the project and he wouldn’t change the May 2 date again as that was too late to do, or even contemplate.

Another source told DNA that Obesere actually approached the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll, who prevailed on the former to help out.




K1The Ultimate



False Accusation

Now that Obesere had found favor with the Olowu of Kuta, he continued with his activation plans. However, rumour had hit the streets that Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, K1, had used his connection with the Olubadan to stop the installation of Obesere as the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland that he, K1, was the only one who deserved to step in the shoes of Barrister.

“Obesere allowed the rumor to spread to hurt K1 because of the frosty relationship between the two of them. Wasiu did not stop Kabiyesi from doing anything as regards the matter. Besides, Wasiu is not from Ibadan and couldn’t have been installed as Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland,” corrected Omotosho Akeem, another source of DNA.




Abass Obesere


Controversy

On May 2 2019, Obesere was installed as the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland, instead of Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Ibadanland. This is another controversy that is presently hanging around his neck. At the installation ceremony were Adewale Ayuba, Sir Shina Peters. Saheed Osupa performed to the guests, and other dignitaries.

As Obesere settles down to enjoy his newly added cap, only time will tell if he is occupying a stool that is restricted only to Owu Kuta; or that of Ibadanland, but without the approval for the Olubadan; or also the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland, but hurriedly done, and in hushed manner. From London, Ayo Jamiu faulted the entire process, describing it as a sham.

“I have been advised not to talk about Obesere because of some things, but all I know is that you can’t be installed to any stool by any oba but First class Obas, among whom are: the Alaafin of Oyo, the Ooni of Ife, the Ataoja of Oshogbo, the Awujale of Egba, etc. “I was among the few people who planned, and executed the crowning of Sunny Ade in 1977. The incumbent Alaafin of Oyo, accompanied by other First class Obas and many Baales, crowned Sunny back then. That’s the tradition and that’s all I can say,” he told DNA in a phone conversation.

Repeated efforts to talk to Obesere on the phone were futile as the man who always picked his call consistently said: “Abass is on vacation for now. Please call next week.”


By Aduloju Daniel


Source: http://dna.com.ng/exclusive-obeseres-installation-a-sham/