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Opinion : To The Mayegun | By Tunde Busari
In 2001, the then King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal released a song titled STATEMENT. The intro/opening track goes thus:
Ohun taye ba so e da,
Se bohun naa o fi bu e bo dola
Ohun t’aye ba so e da
Ohun t’aye ba so e da
Se bohun naa o fi bu e bo dola
O ba tete, mero naa pa o
Tori ojo iwaju
O ba tete, mero naa pa o tori ojo iwaju u
Bobo nice tan ba so e da
Baby fine tan ba so e da
Se bohun naa o fi bu e bo dolaa
(Translation)
Whatever people turn you to is the same they will use against you tomorrow
You better think right now to escape future regret
If you surrender yourself to human manipulation, you will live to regret your docility in future.
Dissecting the intended message of the excerpt and juxtaposing it with public image of one I always like to call Alhaji K1, one will feel no pain to understand why the Ijebu-Ode son is often a beautiful bride to diatribe from known critics and even a section of his fans.
I have come across reactions of some of his fans who would always spill that though they enjoy what they call his classical fuji because of its simplicity, they don’t like his expressive arrogance which, according to them, fall short of his status as public figure expected to be a role model to younger generation of musicians.
On this social media, if you have the time, the loose time to burn, you will read all sorts of comments-informed, uninformed, ill-informed and outright babanlanonsense. The traffic of words, which accompanied the news of the Mayegun installation in January, pointed to the fact that Alhaji K1 is blessed with fanatical fans and bitterest foes in almost equal percentage. In every 10 comments, six congratulated him while four screamed and highlighted why he was a misfit for that title.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the conferring authority, also shared from those disapproval. When I could no longer bear the pressure on me, some hours to the installation, I picked my phone and spoke with Oba Adeyemi who shed light on the matter and also told me how he was unperturbed by the rage on social media.On January 21, just a week after the installation, through Nigerian Tribune, my employer, I published an exclusive interview headlined: ‘Why I made a musician Mayegun of Yorubaland-Oba Adeyemi,’ The first class traditional ruler defended his choice with argument difficult to dismiss, especially with his reference to his previous involvement in similar subject.
When the same Mayegun, the beneficiary of the Alaafin, is now alleged to have turned round and peed inside the palace of the same Alaafin, then there is trouble beyond Covid-19 in the air. I never knew I was, in the public eye, that close to the Alaafin’s palace until messages were descending into my whats app and inbox, requesting me to confirm the toxic story. I replied all the messages with deliberate silence because whatever I would have said would be ‘a palace source’ and would give credibility to the stuff and make a saboteur in me.
Baba Alaafin, in an interview I published last year, had passionately warned Nigerian youths to take advantage offered by social media to expand their knowledge base rather than to dig hole on their path to a promising future. So, while the story was dancing in the sky, he probably was sympatising with the carriers and consumers, knowing that any topic about him is not and cannot be ordinary because he is not and cannot be ordinary among traditional rulers even beyond Yoruba nation.
Back to Alhaji K1’s song in his STATEMENT. The track, which is both advice and sermon, seems to be the principle which he has long chosen to guide his life, regardless of its popularity, acceptability and applause of the public. He loves to do things in his own way and leaves the public to their judgement of his actions. He does not lose sleep whether they smile or gnash their teeth or attempt a dive into the Atlantic. As long as his action aligns with his principle, it’s all correct, borrowing from my former line editor, Mr Wole Efunnuga. In truth, there is no wrong in living your life for your life and not living your life for lives of others. Isn’t that what most of so-called motivational volumes preach?
Even at that, Alhaji K1 should note from this Sunday morning that there is need to subject certain things in his life to review as he steadily climbs older age (63 years, one month) and assumes higher status as the Mayegun of Yorubaland. It is no longer‘to hell with what the public say’, Apala baa jisoro, Solooo Makinde ooo.’
Rather, it is now a matter of reflection, a deep reflection and patient preview of his future. I want him to know that the failure of the current tale is not the end of the matter. In fact, a strategic thinker would see it as impetus for other hawkers to take their turn to also cook another and more damaging stuffs. And when lies are told, retold and retold again, they sound like truth and even transform to truth in the ears of target audience.
It appears that the gang up against him is real, untiring, obstinate and deadly too such that one day, he would be shocked to be stripped of his flaunted political privileges when manufactured (false) evidence of anti-party activities is couriered to the leadership of his party. Aren’t we in the age of photoshop and advanced forgery?
But before it gets to that possible end, he has all opportunity now to turn a new leaf, even though only a fool will daily struggle to satisfy everybody to enter their good book. Okay, was he aware that visual of how he physically molested a hustling photographer of age bracket of one of his sons would one day hit the air to force him into defensive? Did he know how widely the picture was shared? That’s the point. That’s my point!
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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