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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!
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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