Several years after the demise of late M.K.O Abiola, the last Aare
Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and
his cabinet chiefs are searching for another man who is bold, revered
and dignified enough to put on the armoured title. Deputy Editor
Adewale Adeoye reports
Who will be the next 'war general' of the Yoruba nation? This appears
a topical issue among a large section of people of the SouthWest as
it is among the Oyo Mesi, an age long traditional cabinet associated
with the Yoruba and which primordial western scholars who visited the
old Oyo Empire in time past, once equated with the British House of
Lords.
Faced by a sharp political divide, cultural and moral meltdown and a
growing public disrespect for a largely isolated leadership, the
appointment of another Aare Ona Kakanfo may heal wounds among the
Yoruba people, a prominent traditional ruler in Ogun state who does
not wish to be named told our correspondent penultimate week. He
stated that since the exit of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo the
Yoruba people have been denied as an intelligent, qualitative and
versatile leadership.'
The position of the Aare Onakakanfo is crucial in Yoruba tradition
and in recent times has become famous in her politics, with key
leaders making stealthy lobby to pick the position seen as the most
powerful of all traditional titles in the Yoruba enclave.
Royal sources hinted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had
secretly fought to secure the title but lost, despite on several
occasions inviting the Alaafin for 'breakfast' over the matter, at
Aso Rock, the seat of power in Abuja.
The former President's move had been greeted with a mixture of
scepticism and outright condemnation in some quarters. Some critics
cite his usual mood swings, gritty mannerism and contempt for
anything that has to do with his roots. 'Obasanjo never deserved the
title. After eight years in office, the only legacy in Yorubaland for
that period is his private University and library. He did nothing for
the Yoruba people. He abandoned the Lagos-Ibadan, Ilorin-Ibadan and
Lagos-Abeokuta highways. He came to power through those who used him
to sustain a draconian political tradition' an official of Afenifere
a pan-Yoruba concern, told The Nation arguing that Yoruba people
would have resisted his becoming the Kakanfo.
Now that it is unlikely Obasanjo will ever be the Kakanfo, who else
will the Alaafin pick and of what significance is the title? In a
chat with this correspondent few years ago, the Alaafin had said that
he was, by virtue of his calling, 'spiritually and materially bound'
to defend the interest of the entire Yoruba people adding that it was
customary that as soon as anyone becomes the Alaafin he would be
taken to a sacred temple where he would vow never to betray the
Yoruba people.
Mr Segun Akabasorun, Vice Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area in
Lagos whose roots are from Oyo town told The Nation that the choice
of Kakanfo by the Alaafin is usually 'informed by the dignity of the
personality, courage, commitment to Yoruba culture, morality and
dignity of the human person. The person should be someone who had
made others, who had empowered people and who commands the respect of
the generality of the people of the SouthWest.'
In time of old, the Oyo Mesi had often chosen an Aare at a time of
social or (and) political turmoil or threat of war from foes, with
the hope that such a choice would reenergise the race and reunite
floundering spiritual and physical strength.
Sources hinted The Nation mid last week that the revered Alaafin of
Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who by divine choice is conferred with the
right to bestow such a title, is in a frantic search for a new Aare
Onakakanfo, an ancient and traditional title usually conferred on the
most courageous, fearless and dignified Yoruba person.
'It is true that the Alaafin is interested in picking the next Aare
Onakakanfo. It is time we have such a person. I'm sure the Oyo
cabinet and the Yoruba people in general recognise the need for the
Aare Onakakanfo more than anything' Chief Biodun Sowumi, the Otun Are
of Oyo told The Nation in a chat last week.
Chief Sowumi said the title is not for sale but that it would be
conferred 'in not too distant period' on a distinguished Yoruba
leader who stands for courage, dignity, strength of character and
commitment to the most cherished egalitarian custom of the people.
The last Aare Onakakanfo was the late Chief M.K.O Abiola who died in
mysterious circumstances on June 7, 1998 having been prevented from
assuming the post of the president of Nigeria despite having won the
June 12, 1993 election. Before him, the late Chief Ladoke Akintola,
former Premier of the old Western Region, was conferred with the
title of Kakanfo based on his ability to communicate with a rare
skill, his dogged passion for anything Yoruba and his demonstrated
love for pious character that speak volumes about ancient Yoruba
powers and spirituality, royal sources claim.
The enthusiasm to see another Aare in not too distant future is not
restricted to the royals, as expectations are also high among many
Yoruba people who know about the significance of the post. 'We are
watching with keen interest. This is the time to pick a new Aare
Onakakanfo. The Yoruba nation is in a state of social and political
stupor. The race is declining morally and culturally. The political
space is polluted. The heritage of the glorious years has been lost.
We really need a new Aare Ona Kakanfo that will command respect',
Jubril Ogundimu of the Yoruba Amnesty told The Nation. Late last week
his group forwarded a letter to the Alaafin urging him to pick the
Kakanfo. Though such letters are not compelling, except that it may
remind the King that his vast subjects have the right to poke their
noses into customary matters that affect their essence and being.
Ogundimu said the Yoruba nation has been 'besieged by reactionary
social and political forces, who have introduced a new culture of
election rigging, 419, drug barons, yahooboys, corruption and the
decline of the spirituality of the people and all that the late Chief
Obafemi Awolowo stood for.' He said the worst is 'that people are
being taught that electoral violence and wealth by all means' are the
hallmark of life. He said with the 'factionalisation of the major
Yoruba leadership groups, a powerful Aare Onakanfo might make a lot
of difference by unifying the people.'
Sources claimed that the Alaafin would have picked one some three
years ago save the meddling of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
'He was so desperate to clinch the title. He invited the Alaafin on
several occasions for breakfast at the State House in Abuja. He
wanted to be the Aare Onakakanfo. He wanted to be the leader of the
Yoruba nation. When he could not lobby the Alaafin, he settled for
the position of Ebora Owu, a lesser title,' a trusted source told The
Nation.
Usually the position draws the respect and in many instances, fear. A
source close to the Alaafin said the Aare Onakakanfo is the highest
title that any Yoruba man can be bestowed upon. It is the equivalent
of a Field Marshal in the army. There is no other title any one can
get after the Kakanfo. It is the final honour any one could get.
Sources claimed that the title is usually picked after consultation
with certain sacred and celestial order, and that it involves the
presentation of several names passed on in some cases to the
'heavenly powers' to choose'. Though in years past, the title was
associated with the Oyo empire, its overwhelming impact on the entire
Yoruba nation cannot be denied. The Kakanfo had dominion over almost
all Yoruba territories at a time in the past extending to far away
Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana.
But what candour will the appointment of an Aare Ona Kakanfo bestow
on a population ruled by principalities of political parties? Dr Ayo
Afolabi of Covenant Group, a pan-Yoruba concern said the appointment
of Kakanfo has spiritual and cultural significance. 'It's like a
people without leadership. There should not be a vacuum. The
appointment of the Kakanfo will re-enact confidence. It will give the
Yoruba people a sense of pride. It will show that we once had an
institution that deserves to be respected. It will bring forth a
leadership that may likely bring together the contending ideologies
and unite the people.
But there is a school of thought. Will the Kakanfo ever resolve
differences that are based on contending forces of right and wrong
and good and evil, or cleavages fuelled by the desire of some
leadership to enslave and castrate the race? For instance, Aka
Basorun who is a member of the Action Congress, AC, says the division
among the Yoruba people is fuelled by the emergence of 'gluttonic
political forces bent on reducing to rubbles the long cherished
dignity of the people of the SouthWest' saying that reconciliation
with such forces 'is impossible.'
The title of Aare Ona Kakanfo was introduced hundreds of years ago to
the Yoruba country by King Ajagbo, who ruled over 700 years ago. The
introduction of the title was informed by the need to fortify the
ancient, pre-colonial army of the old Oyo Empire which at one time
could boast of over 100,000 horsemen. In recent times, the selection
seem to have been informed by other considerations the chief of which
is the acceptability of the leader among a large section of the
people of the South West and such a leader being accepted as worthy
Yoruba leadership by other nationalities in Nigeria. The selection
involves several rituals and there have been speculations that the
last two Kakanfos did not complete the ritual circles. Samuel Johnson
in his book treatise on the Kakanfo stated that the Kakanfos are
always shaved, but the hair on the inoculated part is allowed to grow
long, and when plaited, forms a tuft or sort of pigtail,' adding that
Kakanfos are generally 'very stubborn and obstinate. They have been
more or less troublesome, due to the effect of the ingredients they
were inoculated with. In war they carry no weapon but a weapon known
as the King's invincible staff.' At one time in the ancient times, a
Kakanfo, unable to witness war was said to have fomented a civil war
in Ogbomoso 'which he also repressed with vigour', just to prove his
might. It is generally understood that they are to give way to no one
not even to the King, their master. Hence, Kakanfos are never created
in the capital but in any other town in the Kingdom '
He said that the Kakanfo is akin to a field marshal and is conferred
upon the greatest soldier and tactician of the day. 'By virtue of his
office he is to go to war once in 3 years to whatever place the King
named, and dead or alive, to return home a victor, or be brought home
a corpse within three months'.
He noted that the Kakanfo usually has certain ensigns: The Ojijiko,
and a cap made of the red feathers of the parrots tail, with a
projection behind reaching as far down as the waist, an apron of
leopards skin, and a leopard skin to sit on always the Asiso or
pigtail and the Staff invincible.
Apart from Akintola and Abiola, the past Aare Onakakanfo since about
over 500 years ago were: Kokoro gangna of Iwoye, Oyatope of Iwoye,
Oyabi of Ajase, Adeta of Jabata, Oku of Jabata, Afonja l'aiya l'oko
of ilorin, Toyeye of Ogbomoso, Edun of Gbogun, Amepo of Abemo, Kurumi
of Ijaye, Ojo Aburumaku of Ogbomoso (son of Toyeje) and Latosisa of
Ibadan, the last of the ancient Kakanfos. After Latosisa, Chief
Ladoke Akintola was appointed the Kakanfo. He died in tragic
circumstances during the January 15 coup. Since the death of Abiola,
no one has been appointed as the Kakanfo by the Alaafin and in a way,
the delay in appointing the Kakanfo in the past and even now, has
always added to the myth that surrounds the titl

interesting essay format. but what does generalissim mean first of all?

oyinda.:

interesting essay format. but what is generalissim first of all?

Did u read the message or just the topic? Cos for me this is way too long and I dont think i have the patience to read it

Candidates: Obasanjo, Tinubu

sulad82i:

Did u read the message or just the topic? Cos for me this is way too long and I dont think i have the patience to read it

I skimmed it. lol takes less than a minute
message of the essay: who is the next MKO?

sulad82i:

Did u read the message or just the topic? Cos for me this is way too long and I dont think i have the patience to read it  

oyinda.:

interesting essay format. but what does generalissim mean first of all?

the story is about producing another yoruba leader just like awolowo and mko abiola

obj fought to be the leader and was having breakfast in the alaffin palaces but lost

who will be the yoruba leader,,,this person must make an oath not to betray the yoruba people etc

alj harem1:

the story is about producing another yoruba leader just like awolowo and mko abiola

obj fought to be the leader and was having breakfast in the alaffin palaces but lost

who will be the yoruba leader,,,this person must make an oath not to betray the yoruba people etc

How was MKO a yoruba leader?

Ola edo:

How was MKO a yoruba leader?

not me but the article

oyinda.:

interesting essay format. but what does generalissim mean first of all?

Generalissimo or Generalissimus is a military rank of the highest degree. In Yorubaland, it is called the Aare Ona Kakanfo, the  highest honour that can be bestowed on a true son of the land.

oyinda.:

I skimmed it. lol takes less than a minute
message of the essay: who is the next MKO?

LOL, good one

alj harem1:

the story is about producing another yoruba leader just like awolowo and mko abiola

obj fought to be the leader and was having breakfast in the alaffin palaces but lost

who will be the yoruba leader,,,this person must make an oath not to betray the yoruba people etc

true, u can actually tell just by reading the first paragraph.

Jarus:

Candidates: Obasanjo, Tinubu

Are you serious?

Did you even read the article?

The Alaafin seems to not like the Obasanjo candidacy for reasons that seem, to me, germane. Obasanjo has never represented the Yoruba race like past Aares.

And dont get me started on Tinubu. The Aare has to be a COMPLETE Omoluabi. And, we all know that Tinubu is the antithesis to what Omoluabi signifies.

oyinda.:

I skimmed it. lol takes less than a minute
message of the essay: who is the next MKO?

Very simplistic and wrong

The Aare Ona kakanfo, to me, is greater than individuals or personality. It is a highly reputable and respectable 'institution' in Yorubaland!

lol generalissim has been changed to generalissimo. ok. but how was MKO a "war general" of the yoruba nation?  
I saw him first and foremost as a successful and wealthy yoruba businessman and later candidate for presidency. not really a yoruba cultural leader or general for that matter. I get your point if you talk about the chieftancy system in Nigeria where ethnic groups bestow titles upon the more wealthy members who have given back by performing some philantrophic service for the community. But i don't see how he was a yoruba leader. Can you talk about some of his accomplishments as a "general"?

to me. we need to get rid of the idea of kankanfo, or whatever it is, as a real social institution. I don't mind it becoming reduced to a ritual or celebratory post kinda how queen of england is 
the real deal is Nigeria. not a yoruba kingdom.

at least that's my opinion. . . for now. unless someone makes a good argument to convince me otherwise.

oyinda.:

lol[b] generalissim has been changed to generalissimo[/b]. ok. but how was MKO a "war general" of the yoruba nation?  
I saw him first and foremost as a successful and wealthy yoruba businessman and later candidate for presidency. not really a yoruba cultural leader or general for that matter. I get your point if you talk about the chieftancy system in Nigeria where ethnic groups bestow titles upon the more wealthy members who have given back by performing some philantrophic service for the community. But i don't see how he was a yoruba leader. Can you talk about some of his accomplishments as a "general"?

Generalissimo is indeed correct. The Are-Onakakanfo was not a ceremonial title, it was a really powerful position in the old Oyo Empire.

Well the elders,who have been in power since the 60s, have destroyed one from arising.There is not one any can think of as of now.

oyinda.:

lol generalissim has been changed to generalissimo. ok. but how was MKO a "war general" of the yoruba nation?  
I saw him first and foremost as a successful and wealthy yoruba businessman and later candidate for presidency. not really a yoruba cultural leader or general for that matter. I get your point if you talk about the chieftancy system in Nigeria where ethnic groups bestow titles upon the more wealthy members who have given back by performing some philantrophic service for the community. But i don't see how he was a yoruba leader. Can you talk about some of his accomplishments as a "general"?

In the true sense of it MKO was not a war general and was never a military officer. You have to put things in context. It is a symbolic title, more or less in the modern era, a social institution, usually given to a worthy son of the land who has championed the wellbeing of his people, and has striven to improve, the social, political, and general well being/status of the Yoruba race.

It is the highest chieftancy title, given by the Alaafin ( just as how the Queen confers worthy British citizens ,and deserving citizens of the commonwealth with national titles) available to commoners amongst the Yoruba, and has only been conferred by the tribe 14 times in its history. This in effect renders the recipient the ceremonial War Viceroy of all of his people, Yorubaland.  It has got nothing to do with money nor does it awardship depend on someones's business acumen.

you are not answering my question. 
i put "war general" in quotation for a reason. no one said MKO was in the army.
what were mko's achievements that qualify him to be a yoruba leader aside from philantrophy? I'm just trying to know more about what these people did that made them worthy of this great title.

Aigbofa:

Generalissimo is indeed correct. The Are-Onakakanfo was not a ceremonial title, it was a really powerful position in the old Oyo Empire. 

the key word is "was"
what is the relevance today. in the Nigerian context. as opposed to "old Oyo Empire"
MKO was running for president of Nigeria afterall. not a yoruba empire.

to me, this is now more of a ceremonial title. kind of like being Queen of England. lol there is not much else attached to it. or is it really important? if so, how?

oyinda.:

you are not answering my question.
i put "war general" in quotation for a reason. no one said MKO was in the army.
what were mko's achievements that qualify him to be a yoruba leader aside from philantrophy? I'm just trying to know more about what these people did that made them worthy of this great title.


the key word is "was"
what is the relevance today. in the Nigerian context. as opposed to "old Oyo Empire"
MKO was running for president of Nigeria afterall. not a yoruba empire.

I don't think anybody is debating the relevance here. You said "generalissim has been changed to generalissimo"

What is generalissim?

Aigbofa:

I don't think anybody is debating the relevance here. You said "generalissim has been changed to generalissimo"

What is generalissim?

noooo. the former topic title was generalissim. that's why i was confused and ask what it meant. OP changed it later and I acknowledged the change. lol good to see that we are now on the same page.

oyinda.:

you are not answering my question.  
i put "war general" in quotation for a reason. no one said MKO was in the army.
what were mko's achievements that qualify him to be a yoruba leader aside from philantrophy? I'm just trying to know more about what these people did that made them worthy of this great title.

IMHO, at the scale at which Abiola carried out his philantrophy, it was more than justified to make him the 'modern day' Aare.
Also, Abiola championed the cause of the Yoruba race; he was a worthy ambassador of the Yoruba people. You'd need to look at his resume to understand what he did, how he made it big against all odd, and why he is held in such high esteem. Not to talk of his character. He was an embodiment of 'omoluabi' through and through.

More than that, for a more complete answer to your question, you'd have to ask the Alaafin. He alone knows why Abiola, more than anyone else, was the most deserving of the title.

oyinda.:

noooo. the former topic title was generalissim. that's why i was confused and ask what it meant. OP changed it later and I acknowledged the change. lol good to see that we are now on the same page.

Oh. I was confused too.

I really don't see anybody that merit that tittle now even MKO did not merit it.
One thing am confused about is must it be Alafin that will select who to confer the tittle to?

Is Alafin More powerful than Oni?

I think whoever must be conferred should be a Muslim my opinion anyway.

olabukola:

I really don't see anybody that merit that tittle now even MKO did not merit it.
One thing am confused about is must it be Alafin that will select who to confer the tittle to?

Is Alafin More powerful than Oni?

I dont think, it has got anything to do with power or influence

I think it is a matter of tradition. And, from time immemorial, the Alaafin has always chosen the Aare!

lagbaja20:

IMHO, at the scale at which Abiola carried out his philantrophy, it was more than justified to make him the 'modern day' Aare.
Also, Abiola championed the cause of the Yoruba race; he was a worthy ambassador of the Yoruba people. You'd need to look at his resume to understand what he did, how he made it big against all odd, and why he is held in such high esteem. Not to talk of his character. He was an embodiment of 'omoluabi' through and through.

More than that, for a more complete answer to your question, you'd have to ask the Alaafin. He alone knows why Abiola, more than anyone else, was the most deserving of the title.

thnx
so MKO is a "modern day" aare. he was an ambassador.
what criteria defined the past ones? what are the profiles of the past ones.
to me generalissimo doesn't seem to be a fitting word for MKO. although it might have been for the past chiefs.

I would nominate wole soyinka as a yoruba ambassador. what do you think?

olabukola:

I really don't see anybody that merit that tittle now even MKO did not merit it.

co-sign. this is mostly because now, yorubaland as a political entity doesn't really exist anymore. it is merely a shadow of what it used to be. That title belong in another era. not really relevant for today. lol

oyinda.:

thnx
so MKO is a "modern day" aare. he was an ambassador.
what criteria defined the past ones? what are the profiles of the past ones.
to me generalissimo doesn't seem to be a fitting word for MKO. although it might have been for the past chiefs.

I would nominate wole soyinka as a yoruba ambassador. what do you think?

Interesting, i was actually thinking of Wole Soyinka as well. Although, during those Abacah years, he went on self exile, a sign of cowardice IMHO. the Aare, even the modern day one, must not show cowardice, no matter what. That said, he fought them the best way he knew how . According to the folklore as recounted by Yoruba elders, the Aare Ona Kakanfo is expected to die a warrior in the defense of his nation in order to prove himself in the eyes of both the divine and the mortal as having been worthy of his title. And that is one of the reasons, Abiola refused to accept the conditions of his release from prison. Irrespective of how you want to look at it, Abiola was the 'modern day' 'war general' of his people.


I would have personally preferred Gani Fawehinmi or Bola Ige, but they are no more. Gani never ran from the military. He faced them, and despite the inhumane treatment meted out to him, he never wavered in his convictions, that to me is bravery, same can be said of the Cicero as well.

At present, not sure who deserves it. Politically, Tinubu would have been the right person, but his personal life and rise to fame are not things to write home about. Beside his recent political achievement, he is, in other spheres of his life, a disaster.

Apart from Akintola and Abiola, the past Aare Onakakanfo since about
over 500 years ago were: Kokoro gangna of Iwoye, Oyatope of Iwoye,
Oyabi of Ajase, Adeta of Jabata, Oku of Jabata, Afonja l'aiya l'oko
of ilorin, Toyeye of Ogbomoso, Edun of Gbogun, Amepo of Abemo, Kurumi
of Ijaye, Ojo Aburumaku of Ogbomoso (son of Toyeje) and Latosisa of
Ibadan, the last of the ancient Kakanfos. After Latosisa, Chief
Ladoke Akintola was appointed the Kakanfo. He died in tragic
circumstances during the January 15 coup. Since the death of Abiola,
no one has been appointed as the Kakanfo by the Alaafin and in a way,
the delay in appointing the Kakanfo in the past and even now, has
always added to the myth that surrounds the title

And you my friend would agree with me that there is no way in hell I possibly would know, or have at my disposal, the profiles of the past Aares. They were crowned when oral tradition, as against written record, was the order of the day

Who else other than Commendertore Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The thing I respect about Tinubu is the recognition of the limits of his powers. This is where Orji Kalu failed.

As leader of the party you have to be loyal to your Governors in other to get loyalty in return. Not bullying.

mikeansy:

Who else other than Commandertore Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The thing I respect about Tinubu is the recognition of the limits of his powers. This is where Orji Kalu failed.

As leader of the party you have to be loyal to your Governors in other to get loyalty in return. Not bullying.

i do not thing tinubu is right for his people because even SW even lagos he has to many enemies

i believe there are better candidate out there just like funsho williams was before he was killed

alj harem1:

i do not thing tinubu is right for his people because even SW even lagos he has to many enemies

i believe there are better candidate out there just like funsho williams was before he was killed

Funsho who?

We are talking about regional politics not local government politics.

mikeansy:

Funsho who?

We are talking about regional politics not local government politics.

no funsho before he die would have beaten fashola in lagos,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fact

i still believe there are better candidates than tinubu,, i don't think he is responsible enough to lead his people knowing that the oba's except the oba of lagos rejected him out right

lagbaja20:

Interesting, i was actually thinking of Wole Soyinka as well. Although, during those Abacah years, he went on self exile, a sign of cowardice IMHO. the Aare, even the modern day one, must not show cowardice, no matter what. That said, he fought them the best way he knew how . According to the folklore as recounted by Yoruba elders, the Aare Ona Kakanfo is expected to die a warrior in the defense of his nation in order to prove himself in the eyes of both the divine and the mortal as having been worthy of his title. And that is one of the reasons, Abiola refused to accept the conditions of his release from prison. Irrespective of how you want to look at it, Abiola was the 'modern day' 'war general' of his people.


I would have personally preferred Gani Fawehinmi or Bola Ige, but they are no more. Gani never ran from the military. He faced them, and despite the inhumane treatment meted out to him, he never wavered in his convictions, that to me is bravery, same can be said of the Cicero as well.

At present, not sure who deserves it. Politically, Tinubu would have been the right person, but his personal life and rise to fame are not things to write home about. Beside his recent political achievement, he is, in other spheres of his life, a disaster.

And you my friend would agree with me that there is no way in hell I possibly would know, or have at my disposal, the profiles of the past Aares. They were crowned when oral tradition, as against written record, was the order of the day

I agree with a lot of your points. Left to me, I will give it to Soyinka in the absence of Gani Fawehinmi or Bola Ige.

Like Oyinda. pointed out, the modern Aare will have to be symbolic though, like Akintola and MKO Abiola's title were, he'll have to be a defender of Yoruba cultural traditions and an active participant in the progress of the Yoruba people and Nation.

Within the present realities of Nigeria, we obviously do not need a real "war general" we are not fighting a war (yet) and we don't have an army, the symbolic qualities of the Modern Aare will have to stress other criteria which I believe Soyinka adequately meets.

I understand Soyinka went into exile for a while during the Abacha era but I honestly cannot accuse the man of cowardice -between his alleged hold-up of a state radio station at gunpoint plus his role during the Biafra crisis especially his efforts at conveying Victor Banjo's message to then Lt. Olusegun Obasanjo during the war and his Radio Kudirat movement plus his constant efforts at speaking truth to power- I will rather call him brave.

I think the Alaafin should give it to Soyinka of Aké, Unfortunately. I'm also convinced Soyinka will refuse it.


Obasanjo = Who is he? Mtcheew!

Tinubu = Not right now, He needs to keep working hard. He's got a lot to repair.

@ OP,

You stole my Topic LOL.

Obasanjo wetin? God Punish devil.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo used to be the Yoruba General who lead them to wars. He is usually very powerful

The Aare is expected to commit suicide/never return home should he lose a war.

All Aare have been known to die in tragic circumstance.

olabukola:

I really don't see anybody that merit that tittle now even MKO did not merit it.
One thing am confused about is must it be Alafin that will select who to confer the tittle to?

Is Alafin More powerful than Oni?

I think whoever must be conferred should be a Muslim my opinion anyway.

Samuel ladoke Akintola was not a Moslem. Maybe MKO was the only Moslem that was. I also heard Aare latosa converted to islam before he died