OBA ADEMUAGUN PhD Law
Sometimes in the year 2024, the thenpresident of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo,was seeing in a viral video having a discussion with traditional rulers in Ogun State, ordering them to honour him by giving him a standing ovation in a manner that was never expected of him . The statement of the then president caught the attention of many Nigerians both within and outside the country, most especially, the Yoruba extraction which to have condemned the action of the former president
A similar scenario played out in 1957, when Oba Dr Ademuagun was installed as Deji on the 28th October, 1957. In the same year 1957 he was inducted into the Western House of Chiefs which we know as “Ipade Lobaloba where the then governor of the region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the Premier of the western region. Premier was then powerful than governor of a state because he combined all powers of now six states of the region in his hands.
The incident happened during the very first meeting he attended. All selected Oba in the region attended the meeting with Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was the Premier of the western region. In Ondo province, only five(5) Obas attended the meeting namely; Deji of Akureland, Olowo of Owo, Osemawe of Ondo, Ewi of Ado and Elekole of Ikole
At the meeting, all the Obas were already seated before Awolowo walked in majestically in his usual way. Immediately he arrived, all the Obas stood for the Premier (governor) except Oba Ademuagun, “Ekun oko Eyesorun” The other Obas were surprised, seeing this new and young Oba from Akure seated when Awolowo came in. Awolowo himself was surprised and asked who he was and he replied, “I am the Deji of Akureland, Ademuagun Adesida II.”
Awolowo queried his audacity, and Oba Ademuagun responded, “was it polite seeing the likes of Kabiesi Adesoji Aderemi or Alaafin Ladigbolu, who are older than us, standing up for you while you walk in. In London where we both studied law, have you ever heard that someone walked in and the Queen stood up. In fact Queen will enter a venue last. Even if Nigeria system of government is different from theirs, respects must be given to whom it is due. We here, inherited our father’s stool and it’s only death that can remove us but you, your time on this seat will soon lapse. You got there by thumb and through thumb you shall be removed. Me, Ademuagun will never stand up for you.”
He asked those Obas including Oba Akenzua of Benin, to get back to their seats but they couldn’t. They were just watching the drama. A serious altercation ensued, after which Oba Ademuagun had to remove his cap(crown), handed it to Awolowo and dared him to put it on if he could so as to prove he deserves the respect he demanded from him. The other Obas took it from Awolowo and before they could turn back Oba Ademuagun had left the venue. Thanks to Olodumare that some omodeowas followed him to the meeting, they had to retrieve the crown and ran after him. The feud between both Icons was later settled here in Akure by Dr Nnamdi Azikwe after many years
He exercised his bravery before Awolowo, maybe because he was a lawyer who knows law like him
Olori Asake Adebola Adesida, the then Eyesorun witnessed this and Regent Adesida Adebusola Alice confirmed it
Respect to Akure Deji for the brave Decision which till today describes an average Akure son Or daughter as being fearless mostly when on his or her right
