By Ayo Fajana
Late Oba Samuel Adeyemi Adelabu was born into the typical competitive royal home of Prince George Oguntomilade Adelabu and Madam Elizabeth Omorinola in the early thirties. He attended the famous Zik Academy in Sapele (now Delta state) for his Secondary education. After the completion of his Secondary School education, he was appointed as an Account clerk with SCOA, a merchandise company in Ado Ekiti under the Late Chief Anisulowo. The young resourceful Adelabu, by his activities in the Youth vanguard of Action Group (AG) in the Old Western Region was appointed a Sports’ Secretary for Liberty Stadium in Ibadan. Thrilled with the ambition and fired with hope, Prince Adeyemi Adelabu got admission into the University of Lagos in 1962 to study Law where he graduated with honors. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos; a member of the pioneering set of the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. Oba Adelabu was enrolled at the Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1967. While in active practice, he served as the legal adviser to Odua Textile Mills in Ado Ekiti until his voluntarily withdrawal to set up his Law chambers; ‘Yemi George and Co’ at No 30, Orereowu Street, Ado Ekiti.
He brought his rich legal experience to bear at the Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission in 1978. While on the service of Prince Adepoju Adejugbe, he pleaded against the hoary customs of ‘Omo oriite’ as a condition for the selection of Ewi. According to his legal submission, the review would avert imminent catastrophe in the ruling houses as it became practically impossible to find an ‘Omo oriite’ or ‘Aremo Oye’ consequent upon succession that concentrated longevity in a particular ruling house. The practice was however quashed and thereby opened a wide vista of opportunity for Princes of Ewi across the broad spectrum of the ruling houses. It was also meant that sometimes large royal families shall be extended to infinity where it would be impossible to differentiate between a real Prince and those who suddenly became one because of the revocation of the customary practice of ‘Omo Oriite’. The eventual revocation was in favor of Prince Adelabu in 1984 at his selection.
After the demise of Oba Aladesanmi II in January 1983, some Princes from Ateogboye ruling house began to nurse ambition to become the Oba, among those, Prince Victor Timothy Adegoke Adewumi appeared most formidable. Other contestants from the same lineal ancestors seemed remote as Ado traditions still preferred a direct son of an Oba with specific birth rights to occupy the stool, although, the Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission of 1978 has made known a position contrary to the ancient tradition. Ado elites embracing Prince Adeyemi Adelabu agitated openly to change the course of tradition. Hence, they rose up against the choice of Prince Adewumi and preferred a more literate Prince Adeyemi Adelabu. Mobil club and Ado Dynamic club declared themselves negotiators and became the core of anti Adewumi alliance called: ‘Egbe Omo mi a mu un mi’.
The amiable Oba Adeyemi Adelabu I was initially not keen for the stool of Ewi, until the situation portended danger of extinction for their dynasty as his grandfather was hitherto denied. Ateogboye ruling house was noted for her large dynasty of notable princes and princesses such as Adelusi, Akinrinmade, Oluyede, Ogirigbo, Adelabu, Adekaunsi, Adewumi, Adejuyigbe Agbelusi e.t.c. Prince Adelabu was simply among elites with steely resolve for a literate Oba, he personally acquiesced for any competent Prince from the ruling house. His choice for the vacant stool was initially Prince Ademola Adewumi, then a Director of a Bank in Lagos. Unfortunately, his father was equally on a hot pursuit to ascend the throne and efforts to persuade him to step down fell into deaf ears. This informed the large majority of Ado elites to persuade Barrister Adeyemi George as he was then called, to signify his interest for the vacant stool.
Oba Adelabu had a very short reign; history recorded his retinue of achievements within his eventful years on the throne. He was calmly determined to carry his cross, boldly and courageous. Oba Adelabu I was the first University graduate Oba in Ado Ekiti, an Astute legal icon and Administrator. During his reign, he served as the Chairman of the then Ondo State Council of Obas, Secretary of the Yoruba Traditional Obas and a Legal Adviser to the Confederate of Nigeria Traditional Rulers.
He galvanized home-front support against politically motivated decisions of the U.P.N Government for multi-campus system of Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti. The Faculty of Engineering of the University was almost relocated to Ondo town in 1985 until his efforts and that of the entire Ado community prevented the decision and subsequently a huge sum of money was launched by Ado indigene to assist the University. The Oba was democratic in nature; he resolutely ignored the draconian decree of the Military junta which compelled traditional rulers to obtain clearance from their Local Government Chairmen at any trip outside their domains. He shared the view of Eric Bliar in his fictional world that ‘War is War, no sentimentality, the dead ones are the good ones’.
By the time the Oba joined his ancestors on October 23, 1988, one would be foolish to pretend that it was an easy task for him; the Oba had his twists and turns. One would agree with the axiom that ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’. Even when fame could be fortune, the Oba’s travails on the throne and his sudden death could be justifiably called a royal sacrifice. His family grieved more on their human and material losses. In a popular opinion, one would have loved that the Oba be considered for a more dignifying posthumous honor as his memories remain inspiringly verdant. In his children, we see him as we deeply mourn his passing still.
His interaction with his predecessor, Oba Daniel Anirare Aladesanmi II, during the Ondo State Chieftaincy Review Commission in Ado Ekiti on July 3rd, 1978, as captioned from the record of the daily proceeding No. 127, was quite memorable, he bolds from contemporary events and took up very important issues relating to the selection of Ewi while on the service of the late Prince Adepoju Adejugbe.
The heir apparent
Extracts below suffice to prove that events of today will surely become reminiscences of tomorrow. As if Barrister Yemi George, then simply called, held a crystal ball when he harangued and posited in his cross-examination of Oba Aladesanmi II before the commission, headed by Justice Adeyinka Morgan with him; High Chief J.O Akindolire, Dr Femi Anjorin, Chief Bode Kumapayi and in attendance were Chief S.A. Ogedengbe, and Mr M.S Akinola.
Hear this:
Mr George: My lord………… (Laughter). However, Kabiyesi you will agree with me that Oba Aroloye reigned as the grandson of Gberubioya? May be your Highness is not aware of it?
Oba Aladesanmi II: I have never heard even half of it in history or in Ado here. I am not aware.
Mr George: But it might have been possible?
Oba Aladesanmi II: Well, it has never been possible.
Dr Anjorin: Mr George?
Mr George: yes sir.
Dr Anjorin: Are you suggesting that Kabiyesi paragraph 9 (a) ruled out grandson?
Mr George: yes; and that is exactly what Kabiyesi has given in evidence.
Dr Anjorin: No, No, No, you have called our attention to paragraph 9 (a).
Mr George: to paragraph 9(a)
Dr Anjorin: what is in that sentence that suggests that grandsons are ruled out?
Chief Ogedengbe: they are ruled out, sir. Because he says “According to customary law, males whose father were Ewis……
Mr George: Not whose grandfathers were Ewis.
Chief Ogedengbe: only sons of………….
Mr George: sons of reigning Obas.
Chief Ogedengbe: Direct sons of previous Ewi can reign or have reigned.
Dr Anjorin: Direct is not here.
Chief Ogedengbe: What is here, let me read, sir, for purposes of clarity. “According to customary law, males whose fathers were Ewis and who are popular with the other Omo obas can be appointed.” Males whose
Mr George: Were Ewis. That is it. Kabiyesi, if your Highness is not very sure about the answer to that in the least, you will admit that it might have been possible that this happened. Secondly, I also put it to you that…………
Oba Aladesanmi II: I don’t agree that it is possible because I have never heard of it.
Mr George: Kabiyesi, because you have never heard of the historical fact, it does not mean that the historical fact does not happen.
Chairman: Well, well, well, we are here to ascertain facts.
Mr George: Kabiyesi, sorry, sir. Secondly, Kabiyesi, I also put it to you that in support of this custom, one Owa Ataoludo was the grandson of Owamaro and he reigned as an Ewi?
Oba Aladesanmi II: I have never heard of that.
Chairman: Well, we have not seen Owa Ataoluodo. Owa Maro was the first according to the genealogical tree filed by the Ewi. Mr Akanle, will you please give him your own genealogical tree?
Mr Akanle: I have given him a copy, sir.
Chairman: So, confine yourself to that, until you prepare your own.
Mr George: Okay, sir. So Kabiyesi, what you are saying is that you are not aware of that also? fathers………….
From the foregoing, Oba Adelabu although a lawyer and incidentally a Prince, was able to interrogate Oba Aladesanmi II on some hoary customs at the Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission.
He further established that the selection of Ewi should be far beyond the exclusive responsibilities of the current kingmakers/selectors, those he described in his submission as stranger elements. It is a known tradition that there had been concept of aborigine and Ado is not alone. Late Oba Adeyemi George harangued and posited further that those to be involved or co-opted into this college are the chiefs that actually came with Ewi rather than those that their entries are perceptibly recent and sub-planted the existing guild system, century after the establishment of Ado kingdom.
By AYO FAJANA,
Iremo, Ado-Ekiti
Culled from Ado Kingdom; Path to People’s culture and civilization
