Home News Why OLUBADAN Cancelled OBESERE’s Chieftaincy

Why OLUBADAN Cancelled OBESERE’s Chieftaincy

by Dare Adeniran
OLUBADAN, Obesere, Agbaakin title,

•Gets AGBAAKIN BOBAGUNWA Of Yorubaland Title From OLOWU Of OWU-KUTA

Some weeks back, the news was everywhere that the Ibadan-born Fuji star, Abass Akande Obesere aka PK1 was going to be installed the Agbaakin Bobagunwa of Ibadan land by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji. The whole thing, however, took a funny dimension as the Ibadan ceremony didn’t see the light of the day. The much publicised confirment by the Olubadan was cancelled. But rather than let go, Obesere went ahead to get the same chieftaincy tittle he was meant to be given by Olubadan from an old friend and an Osun monach, the Olowu of Owu-Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama. The installation didn’t only hold on the same date earlier picked for the Ibadan ceremony, Wednesday 1st May, 2019, but an eleborate reception was also held the following day, Thursday 2nd, 2019, at the popular Genesis Event Centre in Ibadan.

It was graced by all the who is who in the Movie and Music industries. The only difference is that, Obesere was installed as the Agbaakin Bobagunwa of Yoruba land instead of Agbaakin Bobagunwa of Ibadan land, which was the initial plan. This, was seen as a kind of face-saving move by Obesere, as his earlier planned tittle has been so much hyped and a large quantity of Ankara Aso-Ebi had already been sold to fans and friends.

Since the unfortunate development, however, the big question on the lips of many in Ibadan and beyond has been, what could have made the Olubadan change his mind overnight, especially when a prominent son of Ibadan land is involved? While some want to believe that it was Obesere who didn’t manage the situation very well, some underground politics may not totally be ruled out.

It was exclusively gathered that Obesere, indeed, told Olubadan about his intention of stepping into late the Fuji icon, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s shoes, as Bobagunwa. ”It is true that Obesere approached Olubadan at an event in Mapo Hall, that he is interested in late Barrister’s chieftaincy tittle, Bobagunwa and the monarch was ready to grant his reguest. But unfortunately, he didn’t go back to the palace for further discussion and proper arrangements before he made it public and started promotions on different media platforms”, a source disclosed.

Meanwhile, in a telephone chat with one of the media assistants to Olubadan, Mr. Yanju Adegboyega,  to clarify what could have prompted the cancellation of Obesere’s Conferment, we learnt that the whole thing failed because due process was not followed. Adegboyega confirmed that Obesere was going to be installed as Agbaakin Bobagunwa of Ibadan land as agreed by Olubadan, but that many things went wrong along the line.

According to him,, “in Ibadan, there is a tradition to be followed when it comes to coronation or chieftaincy confirment. There are stipulated days for such event, which could be Monday or Friday. Though there might be exceptions, but in Obesere’s case, which is a honorary chieftaincy title, it is normally done on Saturdays. That is apart, it is also in the purfew of Olubadan to give date, not the other way round, as it was witnessed in Obesere’s case. I can also confirm to you that there was no proper discussion between Olubadan and Obesere after their meeting at Mapo, where the issue was first raised,” he said.

Also, on the allegation in some quarters that the sum of N50m was demanded from Obesere from the palace,  Adegboyega said, “that is pure blackmail and a white lie. Such has never happened, there are many who have been given chieftaincy tittles without paying a dime. It is based on merit and what you have contributed to your immediate environment, the state and Nigeria as a whole.”

There is also this insinuation in some quarters that, another top musician, Alhaji Ayinde Wasiu Anifowose aka K1, alongside his friend and an Ibadan chief and the Asiwaju Olubadan of Ibadan land, Alhaji Akinade Fijabi may have somehow influenced Olubadan’s decision to cancel Obesere’s installation as ‘Agbaakin Bobagunwa’. It is a known fact that K1 and Olubadan are very close. He is Olubadan’s godson. He was the Chief host at his coronation as the Olubadan of Ibadan land some years back, and the the chieftaincy tittle that he (K1) holds, the Eekerin Amuludun of Ibadanland, was facilitated by the present Olubadan as then chief in Olubadan line, alongside his brother, Ambali Adetunji years back. It is also public knowledge that the duo of K1 and PK1, as Obesere’s is popularly called, have been in an age-long rivalry/superiority war. So bad that several efforts of elders in the industry as well as the society, to settle their rift have failed on many occasions.

In fact, there were speculations that, when it was suggested by someone, in one of their meetings, for Obesere to get in touch with K1 to speak to Olubadan on his behalf when it appeared the monarch was going to cancel the installation. He, Obesere was said to have not only discouraged such idea, but vowed never to beg an Ijebu man to solicit for him in Ibadan.

Meanwhile, responding to the rumour going round that he has a hand in the cancellation of Obesere’s installation by the Olubadan, Oloye Akinade Fijabi described those carrying such rumour as Jokers. According to Fijabi, through a telephone call, “Somebody may be trying to use somebody’s name to sell his own brand here; that has always been their normal trade. If not, why would anyone want to drag me into all these?. Yes, I am an Ibadan Chief in Olubadan line, but I am not part of Olubadan in council neither do I work in the palace. So, I wouldn’t know why the installation was cancelled. K1 is also busy more than all these petty talks; he has many things on his table. We don’t know anything about what transpired between Olubadan and Obesere. What is before us is more than that”, he concluded.

–Dare Adeniran

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