Arigidi-Akoko is our Jerusalem – Oba Olanipekun October 24, 2014 ‘Zaki’ of Arigidi-Akoko in the Akoko Northwest Local Council area of Ondo State, Oba Yisa Abu Olanipekun, recently got a judgement validating his installation after six years of legal battle. He spoke with newsmen on his experience at the 2014 Olokun Festival. Senior Correspondent, Temidayo Akinsuyi, was there. Excerpts: You recently got a court judgement validating your selection and appointment as the Zaki of Arigidi- Akoko while the case of your opponent was thrown out. What is your reaction to that judgement? My name is Oba Yisa Abu Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi the 4th. I am from the Irara ruling house. First and foremost, I bow down to Almighty God three times for giving me judgement over this matter which lasted for six years. If I look at what I went through in the last six years, I will be shedding tears. In this life, I believe no human; no matter how highly placed can erase what God has written. My opponents used all their might and everything at their disposal to unseat me in many ways, but God who deemed me worthy to be on the throne said, ‘No, it is not going to be possible’. When we started, we went to court, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, ordered me to vacate the seat without any reason for that. I refused and demanded an explanation on why he gave the order. I then went to the Court of Appeal which ruled that the Chief Judge was wrong and that whatever the kingmakers of Arigidi have done on October 28 2008 stands and is authentic and nothing should be done to change it. It also ruled that since that day, it is established that I have become the Zaki of Arigidi and that we should go back to the high court again. It also ordered that the Chief Judge of Ondo State should not touch the file anymore, adding that he (Kumuyi) has proven to be bias in the matter. That why should he ask me to vacate the seat without any genuine reason? So, when we got to the high court, he assigned the case file to another judge. The judge looked at the file and asked, ‘Why are you treating this man like this? Even you wanted to sentence him if you had your way’. You can imagine how heartless and callous they are. They now called both of us together and we talked. One of the contestants also came and said there is no fraud in the whole issue and that all the names of the contestants, including that of himself, were sent to the kingmakers and to the local government. He now asked Tunde Olanipekun that ‘why should you say that your name was not on the list?’ So, they now fixed a date for judgement when I was abroad which is 3rd of October. I came back at on September 11, I didn’t go the court but my chiefs. I received a call around 11.00 a.m. that we have won the case. What was the genesis of the whole matter? We started the proceeding after the demise of the late Zaki. We wrote a letter to the local government that he has passed away. The father of the man who was my opponent was one of those who signed the letter that was written. Then I was in Peugeot Automobile, Kaduna, when they called me and informed about the late Zaki’s demise. So, we followed all the due process but my opponent was contesting that his name was not among the one sent to the kingmakers. But the truth is that his name was the number one on the list while mine was in number three. Also, his father’s younger brother was our secretary, his name is Bisi Olanipekun. He was the one that wrote all the names. He called me when I was in Akure that I should bring my curriculum vitae. I then asked him that am I looking for job under you? I told him if he likes he should put my name or not that I won’t give him my CV. So, he put my name on number three. I did not bother. But on the day of voting, out of 10 kingmakers, nine voted me in as the Zaki-elect. The case lasted for six years, what does that portend for Nigeria’s justice system, especially for the poor masses of this country? I think there is hope in our justice system but I think it all depends on the judge. In my own case, if it were to be the former judge, I cannot get any justice. Can you imagine that up till now, the Chief Judge of Ondo State is still bragging that that is not the end of the matter? I will say it to the whole world to hear. I don’t know why the man is bent on causing confusion in Arigidi when he himself is not an indigene of the town. From the depth of my heart, I want to thank my supporters who endured for the past six years until justice is done. I also want to express my gratitude to the government of Ondo State, most especially the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and his deputy. So what is your message to your subjects in Arigidi-Akoko? My message to the people of Arigidi is that we should come together and develop our Jerusalem. Arigidi is our Jerusalem. I am ready to sacrifice all to make Arigidi a haven of peace for all. I am a very humble person. I know a lot of influential people that will help us develop Arigidi. I also want to appeal to my subjects not to bear any grievance against my opponents. I have forgiven them all in the spirit of reconciliation. All I can say now is that I give glory to God and the good people of Arigidi- Akoko for standing by me. Whatsoever they have done to me throughout the six years the case lasted, I have forgiven them. They concoct all manner of lies against me, they even said I killed somebody but God still preserved me. Who am I to say I want to bear grudge against them when it is God that fight the battle for me? I want to appeal to them to come home and join hand with me to move Arigidi- Akoko forward. There is no need to feel bitter about the whole issue. We have just one ruling house, one grandfather. I bear no grudge against no one because a king is for everyone. As a traditional ruler, what can you say about preserving our language and rich cultural heritage as Yoruba people? What Otunba Gani Adams (OPC leader) is doing here today deserves a lot of commendation. He has spent his time, energy and resources to ensure that the Yoruba culture does not die and I pray that God will continue to bless him. I have been going all around the world with him in promoting Yoruba culture and heritage. I have seen a lot of Yoruba people abroad whose children cannot speak the language and it is very sad. In Europe, when children given birth to by Yoruba parents come back from school, they will want to have handshake with their parents instead of prostrating as we were taught in Yoruba tradition. Is that a good development? We never did that to our fathers during or days as youths. We are gradually losing our culture. I think government can correct this situation by encouraging people like Adams who are trying to preserve our culture and go back to olden days syllabus where the use of one’s native language is made compulsory. I believe everything will change for the better.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 09:36:50 +0000
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