On Friday, 15th September, the embarrassment meted at the entire traditional council of Oyo State was not accidental. It was a deliberate action by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo purposely came to that occasion to take his own pound of flesh on some of the kings who had offended him in the past. He just used Governor Seyi Makinde’s defence as a conduit for his diatribes.
One of those obas he has issues with is Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, who doubles as the Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Some months back, I listened to Oba Olugbon on Fresh FM, Political Circuit, where he berated Baba Obasanjo on his support from Peter Obi. Mayor Isaac Brown would recall the incident. He anchored the programme.
READ ALSO: Apologize To Our Obas or Never Step on Oke-Ogun Again – Group
In that interview, Oba Olugbon took a swipe at Obasanjo for opposing the presidential aspiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also taunted him and threw a slight verbal jab by saying Baba Obasanjo was becoming senile. I am cocksure that some of Baba Obasanjo’s loyalists would have played the audio clip to his hearing.
Adding insult to Baba Obasanjo’s festering injuries, after the inauguration of President Tinubu, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, in company of some prominent Oyo State Citizens, was the first traditional ruler to pay a solidarity visit to President Tinubu in the Villa. I could remember that our own Professor Adeolu Akande was in that entourage.
Baba Obasanjo, with his petty and non-forgiving spirit, was battle-ready for reprisals, especially on the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon. He did not act in ignorance. It was a deliberate attack, aimed at ridiculing those traditional rulers.
Chief Obasanjo should have been clinical in his crude approach. He ought not to have vented his beastly anger on the entire Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. He should have been bold enough to direct his personal attacks at the Olugbon.
Nevertheless, one thing I’m so sure of is that the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon is an astute and dexterous public analyst. He knows how to get back at Baba Obasanjo. He won’t let go.
I trust the Olugbon on that. Also, he is a dogged fighter, who has mastered the art of throwing back lethal punches at his traducers and adversaries. It is a matter of time, Baba Obasanjo will hear from him.
In Yoruba language, we say “kannakanna n’omo ega, ija n’bo”. Baba Obasanjo is on a long-drawn battle with the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, who is an astute fighter like Baba Obasanjo, as well.
We shall all see where this cold war between Baba Obasanjo and Olugbon ends.
Adejare Ibrahim writes from Oyo Alaafin.
