Candlelight Procession in Honour of Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala and the Issues |Sunday Adepoju

 

By Sunday Adepoju

Another history was made today, January 19, as indigenes of Ogbomoso, numbering over 40 thousand people, took to the major roads in the ancient city in candlelight procession to honour their departed loved one and benefactor, former governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala (1950 - 2022), who breathed his last on January 12, last Wednesday. 

Alao was a man of the masses! No wonder Vladimir Lenin said, "Politics begins where the masses are, not where there are thousands, but where there are millions, that is where serious politics begins." Still, "The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness of others," says Martin Luther King Jr. These are part of what motivated Alao-Akala while alive.

Ever since the news of his exit broke out exactly a week ago, the community has been mourning his 'journey' like the death of a todler.   Not for any thing else, but for his undying love for Ogbomoso and other zones of Oyo State. For instance, dirges rend the air at many spots during the procession. At Oja-agbo, Aromole, Oja Akande, among others, market women were seen singing dirges for Alao-Akala. Within the train of the joyful mourners, varying degrees of songs were rendered as people processed. While some picked from the cultural angle, others dwelt on the religious songs to bid him farewell. 

In black colour branded tops, the train moved from Opadoyin Akala Logde, Randa Area at 4 p.m. to Takie Square, Apake, Star Light, Oke Ado Akintola, Orita Naira, Oja'agbo, Ijeru, Aromole, Maternity Adeoye, Ologbon, Akande Market, Caretaker, Seminary, and back to Akala's residence, Randa, around 7 p.m. 

Not only youths were in the carnival-like train of the joyful mourners who never got wearied; there were also an avalanche of old women and men who joined the exercise. Though acutely touched by the ugly end of the hero, the two-term member representing Ogbomoso North State constituenct in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olawumi Oladeji, was visibly seen throughout the rigmarole, so to say. Top notch aides and numerous supporters of Senator  ((Dr) Fatai Omotayo Buhari of Oyo North senatorial district; Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi Bunvic of Og-Oluwa/Surulere fed. constituency; Hon. Jacob Adejumo Ajao; former majority leader of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola; and many others were part of the train. 

There were students, youths, women, elders, artisans, groups/associations, politicians, and numerous supporters of Alao-Akala and many others from another political divides. One lesson from this is that the exit and celebration of Alao-Akala  goes beyond the political line. Interestingly, there also representatives of the physically challenged in the train. I remember that at Agodi, during his reign, this segment of the people would wait patiently for Akala at the gate to car park beside the Governor's Office.

 Still on the procession, one would spot, in large numbers, the supporters of other political parties highly spirited in the struggle of honouring the late Bobagunwa of Ogbomoso. 

The late Bobajiroro of Owu kingdom really carved a niche for himself by writing his name on the sound of time in his uncommon and unrivalled leadership. Apart from the love he enjoys from across the state, the Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, acknowledged that he was the most experienced governor in the history of the state, having started from grassroots to deputy governor, to acting governor and later deputy governor before he later became the governor. 

In addition, so many revelations greeted his passage. Former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja cleared the air that Akala never betrayed him. So many leaders across the country had paid tribute to the celebrated lost hero. Ranging from Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor; Governors Seyi Makinde, Rotimi Akeredolu, Gboyega Oyetola, Dapo Abiodun of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ogun states respectively, among others, have visited his country home. His dear senator representing Oyo North in the Senate, Senator (Dr) Fatai Buhari; Hon. Odebunmi Bunvic; Hon. Jacob Ajao; Hon. Wumi Oladeji and others have followed suit since the news broke. During the procession, there were buses loaded with  bottled water distributing water to people. Candles were also being distributed in the process. Above all, people never seemed tired for a second. 

Implications, Lessons of His Demise

If Alao-Akala could look back, he beat his chest confidently and, "Indeed, I loved Ogbomoso and Ogbomoso still loves me, even, in death." He would still say, "Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conqured." The death and unending celebration of Akala, the Otun Orirun of the Source (Ife), have lessons and implications. Some leaders have said that this is a critical time Akala's experience and magnanimity would be needed in the state and the nation at large. He became a force that leaders of either of the two major parties and beyond need to tap from his myriads of experience and wisdom. How come he is still being celebrated 11 years after he left Agodi Government House, Ibadan? The secrete, I guess, centres on his style of putting smiles of people's faces. He helped the rich, the poor, the less-privileged, among others. He understood the Dynamics of governance. He believed in the development of the capital city and other zones of the state yearning for a celebrated development. 

From Ibadan to Ibarapa, Oyo, Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, his Jerusalem, government presence was felt. He left many hopeless people hopeful in his leadership. May be he chose to do that because he lost his father at the age of w years.

His undying love for his community was second to none. He was once quoted to have said, "I'm in politics because of Ogbomoso. Ogbomoso made me. Ogbomoso first, Oyo State second and my pocket third. Do I need even need money?" This is not to say that Also Akala was perfect; only God is perfect. 

It also sends signal that it is good to be good. It also implies that occupiers of government positions should serve the people and the people alone. The people constitute the centre of democracy. Politicians should live every day as people whose lifespan will expire the next day. The younger generation should not see politics as a means to amass wealth, primarily. Wealth should be secondary. They should be mindful of the people who are the centre of democracy as Abraham Lincoln sums democracy in his 1863 Gettysburg address. There at Gettysburg, he redefined democracy as "the government of the people, by the people and for the people." 

Akala's story, again, implies that no matter how poorly perceived a politician is, she/he can rise above that and become an angel par excellence. 

I make bold to say that Akala resurrected the same second he died, going by his exemplary live on earth. He came, he saw and he conquered. 

Death, where is thy sting? 

Alao-Akala, Omo Iya Alaro, lives.

Rest on, Jokoto Nikun Ajifa, Iko Olokun Esin, Aremu, Baba Oloye To Po, Ore Ara Ilu, Ore Mekunnu, Omo Opadoyin!

Sunday Adepoju, a journalist, lecturer, consultant and researcher, writes from Ogbomoso.