The argument between Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo arose mainly because the monarch would want an Egba indigene, ex-president Obasanjo’s daughter, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to be elected next governor. There is nothing wrong in that.
Pundit Nehru died as Indian prime minister. One of his successors was Indira Ghandi, his daughter. Prime Minister Indira Ghandi was assassinated and was immediately succeeded by Rajiv Ghandi, his son, as prime minister. When Rajiv was assassinated, the congress party chose the widow, Sonia Ghandi as leader who after leading the party to election victory, was offered the post of prime minister which she humbly turned down, a personal decision.
The first Ceylonese (Sri Lanka) Prime Minister, Mr. Bandaranaike was assassinated and his widow, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, succeeded him and become the first woman prime minister in the world.

Phillipine’s opposition leader, Mr. Acquino was assassinated but the widow Cory Acquino, not only led the battle against dictator President Marcos but also succeeded him as the country’s executive head of state.
What is more, Iyabo Obasanjo was commissioner for health in Ogun State for four years and is until recently a senator at Abuja. At least, she is coming from somewhere.
Another speculated Egba for governorship in Ogun State is Sharafa Ishola, a former secretary to Ogun State Government, special assistant to a former federal minister of finance and now a federal minister of steel. If such a man is to be unlawfully handicapped from contesting governorship only on account of his senatorial district origin, who is better qualified to contest?

What can anybody cite against House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole except being an Egba? Then? His performance so far in office is a credit to Ogun State. Bankole even won more widespread admiration both at home and Britain when he appeared on BBC world television slot, HARD TALK. The regular host, Stephen Sackur is well-known by guests and viewers all over the world as the hardest and most disarming interviewer.
Stephen Sackur met in Dimeji Bankole more than a match. In that encounter, Dimeji Bankole flew Nigeria’s flag topmost. That such a fitting candidate should not aim higher simply because he is Egba or because the post of governorship in 2011 has been reserved for another senatorial district? No way.
Instead, we should be proud in Ogun State that we have six worthy and indistinguishable aspirants (three from Yewa and three from Egba) for the post of a governor in 2011. The people should, be allowed to choose.

If, therefore, with his observation on roads in Abeokuta, Oba Gbadebo was making case for his subjects to contest in 2011, not only was the Alake performing his traditional role, Kabiyesi Alake also has credible and worthy candidates.
As an out-going governor, Daniel will be making a mistake, if as it seems, he thinks his favoured candidate will be imposed on Ogun State and will be loyal to him. It does not necessarily work out that way. General Abdulsalami Abubakar for Obasanjo? How many of Obasanjo’s policies and decisions has President Yar’Adua retained? How grateful has Enugu State governor Chime necessarily been to his mentor, Chimaroke Nnamani? Today, does ex-Niger State governor Kure not regret imposing Babangida Aliyu as his successor? How comfortable now is Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to have chosen the present Governor Sylva of Bayelsa State? Is Plateau State governor Jona Jang not probing his benefactor ex-Governor Joshua Dariye?
Any contestant from any part of Ogun State should be allowed to contest. It is only in Nigeria an out-going elected head of government unconstitutionally arrogates to himself the power to choose his successor. It is dangerous politics and we must resist it starting from Ogun State.

Still on the threat to depose Alake Oba Gbadebo. Governor Daniel is reminded to read late Justice Kolawole’s death sentence on the Chieftaincy Law Cap 23 to bring home to him ( Daniel) that he has no power to depose any Oba. It will be easier for him (Daniel) to borrow Oba Adetona’s copy of that judgment.
The Awujale is one traditional ruler in Ogun State who will not support deposition or threat of deposition of any oba. The Awujale, almost all alone, as chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, thwarted the attempt to depose late Oba Tella, the Olu of Ilaro. Any deposition (apart from being null and void) will render other obas insecure on their throne.

The history of deposed or harassed traditional rulers in Yorubaland shows virtually all of them survived their tormentors either by remaining on or regaining their thrones.
Late Oba Erejuwa, Olu of Warri, deposed by Premier Dennis Osadebay of the newly-created Mid-West State, returned to his throne after the January 1966 army coup. Late Oba Samuel Akinsanya the Odemo of Ishara in Ogun State, whose salary was reduced to one penny a year by NNDP government in the West, had his full salary restored by Military Governor Adekunle Fajuyi in 1966. Olowo of Owo, late Olateru Olagbegi, deposed by Military Governor Adebayo in 1968 regained his throne in 1993 while Governor Adebayo was removed in 1975. Late Ondo State Governor Adefarati, inherited political prejudice and refused to recognize Oba Golagbade Olateru Alagbegi (Son of his predecessor). As the new Olowo Governor Adefarati lost office in 2003 and his successor Governor Segun Agagu recognized Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi who is on the throne today.

Even before the Awujale retained his throne in 1984, Ogun governor, late Bisi Onabanjo had lost office in the military coup of December 1983. Oba Fatola of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, was humiliated and almost deposed by the UPN administration. The Buhari coup of December 1983 also removed Governor Jakande from office while Oba Fatola remains on his throne till today.

Deposition or harassment of traditional rulers in Yoruba-land is therefore, some kind of jinx, erupting logical sequence of events from which any willing governor should learn.
In this controversy, Ogun State Government has not been fair to itself judging from its open display of mean-mindedness. First, there were the reports (so far undenied) that the lady who hosted Alake Oba Gbadebo at the public function he (Alake) made observations of Abeokuta roads, Prince Doyin Ogunbiyi was removed as managing director of Ogun State Tourist Board.
Perhaps, she was a political appointee. Even if so, should political patronage be so dispensed with in a fit of anger? Worse still, she could have been a civil servant. In which case, Ogun State Government should have followed due process of issuing Doyin Ogunbiyi a query in the first instance, followed by warning or suspension before any sack if at all warranted. That is civilised public administration.

In another act of pettiness Ogun State Government was clearly disturbed that Egba chiefs could be so bold to kick against any prospective humiliation of Alake. Responding, Ogun State Government in a public notice (approve by Daniel) wrote off the Egba chiefs and grouped them as Ake chiefs. And clearly to divide the Egbas, Ogun Government went further to call on those it described as “non-Ake” chiefs to dissociate themselves from the Egba chiefs who defended the Alake.
What really is going on in Ogun State Government? Governor Daniel is advised to immediately assume charge of himself to guard against further public ridicule. But before then, this education on the chieftaincy institution in Yorubaland (in reference to this Ogun chieftaincy crisis) is inevitable.
Notably, the Egba chiefs (ordered by Ogun Government to detach themselves from defending Alake) have rebuffed, with their silence, the implied threat by the government. Who lost? Ogun government lost because the chiefs concerned are not under government’s control.

More important than this rebuff is the seeming government ignorance on the institution of traditional rulership in Yorubaland. Therefore, when an oba of the status of Alake of Egbaland (or Awujale of Ijebuland) confers a chieftaincy title on a deserving citizen, that distinguished honour covers the entire domain of the oba who conferred the chieftaincy. Accordingly, Ogun State government cut a sorry figure for itself by describing Oba Gbadebo’s chiefs as Ake chiefs. There are no chiefs as such. Olubara of Ibara can confer only Jagunmolu of Ibara while only the Alake can install Jagunmolu of Egbaland.

If we go back to the origin of this crisis, the impulsive reaction of Ogun State Government to Alake Oba Gbadebo’s alleged criticism of roads in Abeokuta was that the roads were in fact in good condition. In short, the Alake was wrong, leaving observers to wonder why the fuss by Oba Gbadebo. But, somewhat unconsciously, the same Ogun State Government claimed that as at the time Oba Gbadebo criticised the state of Abeokuta roads, Ogun State Roads Maintenance Agency (OGROMA) was already patching the roads. If the roads were not in bad state, why would OGROMA be patching up the roads?

In short, the Alake was correct in his assessment of the roads and Ogun State government should have refrained from unnecessary controversy.
Even if government has the power to depose obas, would Gbenga Daniel have been proud to go into history linked to such retrogression in governance? A peep at neighbouring Lagos State shows Governor Fashola with modesty in personal conduct, reverence for obas in the state, respect for rule of law and focus on governance without throwing his weight about, or threatening use of power.

Governor Daniel must take criticism as an essential part of public office anywhere in the world. If that sounds sour, the same criticism was tasted by all his predecessors in Yorubaland and Ogun State. Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola never escaped very harsh criticisms despite their monumental achievements. Oladipo Diya (as military governor) Bisi Onabanjo and Segun Osoba never rated themselves above public criticisms. Otherwise, Daniel would not have challenged Segun Osoba for the job of the governor.

What is more, you don’t open yourself to necessary criticisms and then turn round to complain or get irritated. For example, Obafemi Awolowo, Ladoke Akintola, Bisi Onabanjo, Segun Osoba, Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande, Michael Ajasin and others all left their footprints in governance. And they are remembered today for their individual performance. None of them ever wasted public funds erecting billboards all over the place in self-glorification.
Put in another way, if the Alake, Oba Gadebo had been deposed, would such unlawful act have been listed on billboards all over Ogun State as an achievement of Daniel? Who is that governor in United States, India or Australia to litter his state with billboards? Ogun State is not North Korea and the idea of mounting the governor’s portrait on billboards is ill-advised.

While flattering Governor Daniel with billboards, some people are smiling to the banks and the day Daniel leaves office, the same people will recommend the removal of these billboards. Anyway, whoever succeeds Daniel and wants to do the same, will first of all remove all existing billboards of him.
If on the other hand, such a successor detests the personal glorification idea, he will remove all those billboards as a priority.
It will even be worse if a state of emergency is declared over Ogun State following public violence in protests against any ill-considered deposition of Oba Gbadebo. With Governor Daniel on suspension in that situation, angry protesters will destroy his billboards nauseatingly littering Ogun State. That is the natural reaction of the angry mob.

Keep off traditional rulers. Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida on assuming office, described himself as servant of the people. The man is correct and his colleague governors must face the reality of their position as servants of the people. The man is correct and his colleague governors must face the reality of their position as servants of the people including traditional rulers.
There is a personal honour waiting for Daniel – to emerge the first elected governor to complete two terms of office. Does he want to rubbish himself or allow evil influences to rubbish him?

Postscript: This column will henceforth appear on this page regularly.