OLUYIN, BAO AND THE CHURCH CHAIR: A STORM IN A TEACUP
By Temitope Ogundare
There is a popular saying that politics is everywhere. Politics, in one form or another, is part of human interaction. It exists in families, associations, businesses, religious organizations and, of course, government. However, politics becomes unhealthy when it is deliberately deployed to create unnecessary conflict, damage relationships and set communities against one another.
The recent controversy involving the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, the Oluyin-in-Council, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) and the reserved chair at Babamuboni Anglican Church is, in my view, a classic example of a storm being created in a teacup.
There seems to have been a deliberate attempt by some individuals to create an impression of hostility between the Oluyin-in-Council and the Ekiti State Government, particularly Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO). Even more disturbing was the sensational narrative suggesting that the Oluyin was in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), thereby creating the impression that the traditional ruler had been involved in a serious confrontation with the state.
That narrative, as understood by many people in Iyin, was misleading. The Oluyin was neither invited nor detained by the DSS. Why, therefore, would anyone deliberately construct such a narrative and circulate it as though Iyin Ekiti were at war with the state government?
More importantly, two separate issues appear to have been deliberately conflated.
The matter concerning the reserved chair of the Oluyin at the Anglican Church arose some time ago and, importantly, was resolved through communication between the Oluyin-in-Council and the church. That should have been the end of the matter. The matter was essentially one of protocol and traditional respect. It was not, at the time, presented as a political confrontation with the church, the state government or Governor Oyebanji.
It is customary in many Anglican communities for reserved seats to be provided for traditional rulers. Where such an established protocol is inadvertently breached, the palace is naturally expected to seek clarification and ensure that the tradition is respected. There is nothing inherently political about that.
It is therefore difficult to understand why an old and apparently resolved matter concerning a church chair would suddenly be resurrected and linked to the ongoing plans to renovate and expand the Oluyin Palace.
That is where the real concern begins. The real issue, as far as the people of Iyin Ekiti are concerned, is the proposed facelift and expansion of the palace and the possibility that some existing structures within its vicinity may be affected.
The ongoing plan to renovate, expand and give the Oluyin Palace a befitting facelift is, in my opinion, a development that every well-meaning son and daughter of Iyin Ekiti should support.
A palace is more than a building. It represents the history, culture, identity and traditional authority of a people. Improving the palace is therefore not simply about the present Oluyin or the present Oluyin-in-Council. It is about preserving an institution for generations yet unborn.
That said, development must also be pursued with fairness and sensitivity. Where existing buildings or legitimate interests are affected by the expansion, the owners and occupants should be properly engaged, resettled and, where appropriate, compensated. This is not an unreasonable demand; it is simply good governance and responsible community development.
But neither should legitimate development be resisted simply because of political disagreements. What should concern every genuine son and daughter of Iyin Ekiti is the attempt to turn a developmental project into a political confrontation.
And this is where I believe we must ask the uncomfortable question: Why should a project intended to improve the palace be reduced to a personal or political contest, and in whose interest is anyone opposing the development of an institution that belongs to the entire Iyin community?
The present Oluyin and the Oluyin-in-Council are temporary custodians of an institution that belongs to generations yet unborn. No matter how long they occupy the palace, the palace will outlive them. The proposed expansion, therefore, should not be viewed as a personal project for the present occupants of the palace. It is an investment in the traditional institution and the future of Iyin Ekiti.
Iyin Ekiti is too important to be dragged into unnecessary controversy. This is why the attempt to politicize the project is unfortunate.
Iyin Ekiti is a blessed community. We have every reason to be proud of our heritage, our people and our growing profile. We should not allow internal disagreements, political interests or sensational reporting to portray our community as incapable of managing its own affairs.
The current controversy has already attracted unnecessary negative attention to Iyin Ekiti. We must therefore exercise restraint and wisdom. Differences of opinion are normal in any community, but they should be addressed through dialogue, consultation and mutual respect—not through sensationalism, misinformation or the deliberate creation of enemies where none exist.
We must be careful. Political differences should not become community divisions. Personal interests should not be disguised as public interest. And disagreements should not be exaggerated into conflicts that threaten relationships between our traditional institution and the state government.
The people of Iyin Ekiti deserve better than sensational headlines, manufactured controversies and unnecessary political intrigues. If there are genuine grievances, let them be addressed through dialogue. But let us not manufacture a war between the Oluyin-in-Council and Governor Oyebanji simply to serve political interests.
Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is the Governor of Ekiti State, while the Oluyin remains the traditional custodian of Iyin’s heritage and identity. There is no reason these institutions cannot coexist peacefully and work together for the development of our people.
The Oluyin deserves respect. The state government deserves fairness. The church deserves understanding. And, above all, the people of Iyin Ekiti deserve peace, development and responsible leadership.
As Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, there comes a time when silence becomes a crime. At this moment, those who genuinely care about Iyin Ekiti must speak, not to inflame the situation, but to restore reason, truth and perspective.
The church chair is not worth dividing Iyin Ekiti. The palace is bigger than politics. And the future of Iyin Ekiti is bigger than personal interest of any individual.
Let us protect our unity.
Let us protect our heritage.
Let us support responsible development.
And, above all, let us stop making much ado about nothing.
Temitope Ogundare, writes from Iyin Ekiti
