With great sorrow, I write this, for I have made the difficult decision to remain silent for the sake of reticence. However, it is important that we document what has befallen our rafters, for the sake of future generations and for the sake of clarity.
We cannot allow our stories to be told by rapists, as has happened so often in the past. We refuse to accept the notion that Africans are barbarians, as was conjectured by Herodotus of Halicarnassus, one of the earliest historians who gave a distorted history of Africa. This led to a misinterpretation of African history. Herodotus described Africa as a continent of barbarians, inhabited by humans with four legs who were animal-like and devoid of culture or religion. Joyce Cary’s “Mister Johnson” also contributed to the disparagement of African history by presenting a confusing and distorted picture of African society. This is just one example of the many derogations that have caused African writers to frown upon non-Africans writing African fiction.
In “The Imperatives of Nigerian Revolution” by Dele Farotimi, the author demystifies the two attempted revolutions that occurred in 2015 and 2020 respectively. Ife was one of the few places that did not witness the “End SARS” protests. The few protests that occurred were conducted by students from Mayfair to the OAU campus. Seemingly, the people of Ife were occupied with their daily activities. I have presented these facts to support my argument that the Nigerian people have always been oppressed by the elites. This also happened in Ibadan and now in Ife. It is the fight of the elites for power.
I would like to allude to “Nairobi Heat” by Mukoma wa Ngugi, a crime fiction novel that explores the poignant literature of African people and the psychological issues faced by Africans and Afro-descendants. A particularly compelling statement can be found on page 18: “If you want the truth, you must go to its source. The truth is in the past. Come to Nairobi.” It is on this note that I address the issue of African fiction written by non-Africans. I have provided substantial details of what happened in March 2022 at Obafemi Awolowo University, based on reliable sources. I implore students of history to do justice to this topic by delving deeper into it.
The very first time I witnessed a live stage play, apart from the ones that occur on our streets on a daily basis, was in 2018 at the Pit Theatre in OAU for my project. It’s amusing how we knew that all the sporrans worn were just costumes, yet we embraced them as if they were real. However, the drama that occurred on March 21st, 2022 at the Obafemi Awolowo University campus was the first REAL drama I had ever seen and was staged by the Absurdist theatre group. My mother had told me countless stories about stage plays she had seen in her prime: Egungun Alare, Soun Ogunlola… but she didn’t mention that they were outrageously staged. Our play was titled “The Plight of Ife Indigenes.” The only issue was that the purported cast members were oblivious to the fact that there was going to be a play. What then led to the title being postfixed with “Indigenes” is not far-fetched; it was a reflection of the harsh reality of the situation.
I was in the confines of my hut, ruminating dementedly of my own thoughts when I received a call from a friend informing me of trouble brewing. My friend informed me that traditionalists were staging a ferocious protest with fire and thunder. I opened my social media app and was bombarded with videos of shameless individuals dressed up as traditionalists, who could easily be mistaken for the real deal. I couldn’t help but think to myself that Ife was once again projecting her shameful acts.
The Council’s Chairman, Oscar Udoji, announced Professor Adebayo Bamire as the 12th Vice Chancellor, after he defeated 19 other contenders. However, a group of interlopers had mobilized to protest against the chosen VC. The aggrieved protesters, led by Bimbo Afolabi, presented all sorts of disruptive dramas at the main gate and inside the campus. While I believe that Professor Rufus Adedoyin was used as a mercenary to fight for the interests of the upper crust within the campus, the people of Ife and the surrounding areas were defrauded by the dissemination of false and misleading information on the indigenes.
A repudiation was widely expected from the palace, but the opposite was the case. It was on this note that I assumed their silence meant acquiescence. As Plato’s saying goes, “To be sure I must; and therefore I may assume that your silence gives consent.” However, the palace’s consent does not apply to the people, as far as democracy is concerned. Even though it is a pseudo-democracy, at least, let us pretend as if people still have a voice.
It is important to note that while the protesters may have had a legitimate cause, their manner of presentation was appalling and unexpected. Despite my conviction that they were paid, I cannot ignore the fact that their grievances were not focused on the plight of the Ife indigenes, but on their own self-interests.
While it is believed that the ancestral link of the Yoruba people in Nigeria can be traced to Upper Egypt (arguably), where Oduduwa is said to have absconded for reasons unknown to the generality of Oduduwa’s descendants, Ile-Ife was fortunate to receive a great ancestor of the Yoruba people. It appears that Ife has always been blessed from its inception, and Obafemi Awolowo University is a quintessence of this. The government of the Western Region, led by Obafemi Awolowo from Ikene in present-day Ogun State, laid the foundation of OAU in Ife, despite many others wanting OAU to be in their own domain.
For instance, Owo’s former ruler, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, who reigned from 1941 until his deposition in 1968, had wanted OAU to be located between Owo and Benin so that the Benin people wouldn’t break away from the Southwest. It appears that Oba Olateru had the interests of the people at heart, which is why he wanted the school to be built in his domain.
It is also crucial to succinctly discuss the drama that occurred between Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Ajasin, Oba Olateru, and S.L Akintola. I am convinced to deviate from the general belief that sees Akintola as a betrayer. Since many people hold underhanded sentiments against S.L Akintola, it is essential to know that he was an ally of Obafemi Awolowo, and what might have transpired afterward is considered politics. The political faction led to Oba Olateru’s dethronement, as Michael Adekunle Ajasin, a close associate of Awolowo, and Oba Olateru aligned with S.L Akintola. Just as Akintola to Awolowo, Oba Olateru was instrumental in the community scholarship that granted Adekunle Ajasin his education. Ajasin became a member of the Federal House of Representatives with the influence of Oba Olateru, and both became resisters because of the political feud that happened during the 1966 military junta. As a result, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi’s government suspended Oba Olateru in June 1966 with the plot of Ajasin. This drama lasted through 1968 before he was finally deposed by his rivals. Obafemi Awolowo described this period as “fierce and howling storms and a four-year journey through the dark and dreary tunnel.” While Akintola, in his broadcast speech, said “I have no apologies to offer in this regard, and I am content to be judged by the outcome of events and history.” History has reminded us how politics was played in the foundation of OAU. It is undeniable that OAU is a quintessence of Ife’s soil.
While it would be appreciated if apologies were extended to the indigenes of Ife for derogatory comments made about them, it is important to note that the people of Ife have distanced themselves from the recent controversy surrounding the appointment of the Vice Chancellor. It is a violation of the dignity of the Ife people to be associated with the controversy without their consent. Therefore, anyone who made derogatory remarks about the Ife indigenes should offer apologies. It is worth noting that the people of Ife did not demand for the appointment of any Vice Chancellor. In addition, aside from the Modakeke-Ife war, Ife has been one of the most peaceful regions in the South West. While there are indigenes of Ife who are not concerned with the affairs of their state, it is not fair to generalize this sentiment.
Although His Royal Highness, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, pacified the aggrieved protesters in a very diplomatic way, it may be argued that the diplomacy was complicit. I want to point out that the people of Ife were and still are oblivious to their predicament. To insist on the need for a particular indigene as a Vice Chancellor in a Federal institution, regardless of its location in an educated area, is contrary to common sense. To claim that the people of Ife are agitating for a VC is a big apocryphal lie that posterity will question. I am not saying that the chosen VC was the right choice, but all the contenders were self-interested individuals looking for titles. If the so-called Ife indigene had won based on nepotism, he would have remained silent, but since fate or politics has determined otherwise, he should accept his fate.
The current state of Nigeria presents opportunities for the elites to benefit and exploit every opportunity. The present Nigerian government, like other elites, is opportunistic and seeks to quell any dissent. The recent events at Obafemi Awolowo University had roots in the factional divide within the institution, with one part being ASUU and the other being CONUA. The players took advantage of the situation and used the indigenes of Ife as instruments to fight for their interests. The absurd dramatists were merely pawns in the larger scheme of things. Hence, to claim that they represented the Ife indigenes would be a grave misconception. For those who have committed fallacies, I implore you to apologize to the innocent masses of Ile-Ife. Similar events have occurred in Ibadan and now Ife, and if the tables turn, your misfortune should not be misconstrued. Until we attain true democracy, we shall continually be raped.
© Adebisi Mr Hardy
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