A former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University and Awise Agbaye, Professor Wande Bimbola, in an interview with The Punch correspondent, sheds light on the controversy surrounding the burial of the Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Adetona, among many other issues.
When he was asked during the interview if he sees anything wrong with Christian or Muslim clerics becoming traditional rulers in Yorubaland, Wande Abimbola said, “I don’t see anything wrong with it. If you are a prince and it’s your family’s turn, it’s okay inasmuch as you’re going to respect indigenous practices. For example, in Oyo town, you can hardly find anyone who is not nominally a Muslim or Christian in the royal family. The present oba is Akeem, and he is a Christian. It’s very difficult to say that it’s only people who practise indigenous religion who should be kings.”
Wande Abimbola stated that Christians and Muslims are part of the community, and as long as a king does not show partiality or attempt to impose one religion over others, there should be no issue. He pointed out that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was a Muslim but still openly practised traditional religions such as Ifa, Sango, and Ogun.
Abimbola cautioned against holding the narrow view that only practitioners of indigenous religions should be allowed to become kings, noting that such thinking would be unhelpful. He emphasised the possibility of peaceful coexistence if mutual respect is maintained among different religious groups.
He further argued that while indigenous religion is welcoming of other faiths, it is the imported religions that tend to be intolerant. In his view, a king must embody tolerance. He clarified that no one is insisting a king must abandon his personal faith, whether it involves going to church or mosque, but rather that he should not attempt to suppress indigenous practices.
“The example of the current Alaafin is important. Immediately he ascended the throne, he went to a church and worshipped with them, then he went to a mosque and worshipped with them, too. He later went to the Ile Ijuba of Babalawos and worshipped with them. The Yoruba say ‘aro meta kii da obe nu’ – the tripod does not spill the soup,” he added.
Wande Abimbola expressed hope that the ongoing reawakening among young people in embracing indigenous ways of life would continue, as it could eventually lead to a larger pool of princes who actively practise traditional customs and beliefs, making it easier to choose suitable candidates when kingship positions become vacant.
He added that the focus should not be solely on kingship. According to him, the entire Yoruba community must cultivate mutual respect. He emphasised that religion is a matter of personal choice, and attempting to impose one’s faith on others is bound to create conflict.
Abimbola maintained that, for peace to prevail in Yorubaland, all religions must be allowed to coexist. He said he had no objection to a Muslim or Christian becoming king, provided such a person practises and respects Yoruba indigenous traditions. In his view, a king could privately observe his Islamic or Christian faith, but public respect for indigenous practices was essential.
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