STATE vs CROWN: The Deposition of the Awújale.

In a gripping tale of power, politics, and tradition, Arákùnrin Sèyí Podcast uncovers the historic confrontation between Governor Victor Olabisi Onabanjo and the Awújale of Ijebuland.
What led to the deposition of a revered king?How did politics and royal authority clash in 1981?And how did the Awújale stage a return that redefined Ijebu history?
This episode takes you deep into a moment that shook the very soul of Ijebuland , revealing truths many have forgotten, and others never knew.
🎧 Now streaming on Audiomack, Spotify & YouTube.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome to another episode of our Current Shape podcast, and
on today's episode, we are covering the story of the
Aujari of Ijebu Land. On November twenty, nineteen eighty one,

(00:41):
Governor Victor Labisi on a band of Urban State signed
a formal order suspending over Siki Latona from office as
the Augarie of Ijebu Land until further notice. However, it
soon turned to the position and the remover was scheduled
to take effect on January second, nineteen eighty four, but

(01:03):
the Mhmadu Wari coup of December thirty first, nineteen eighty
three we stopped with Presidential U Shagari civilian government altered
the plan. Bari's intervention inadvently preserved the Aujali's reign for
the next forty one years. By the early nineteen eighties,
Obasiki retired the aditonal the Abujari of Fijebu Land and

(01:25):
Governor Victor bc On Aubanjo, both sons of Yjebu, had
entered a tenth phase. The foundation had been set years
earlier when Adeton had generously assisted on Aubanjo during its
illness and even provided accommodation and support while he studied
in London. Yet, as politics took center stage, friendship gave

(01:47):
way to rivalry and personal eye would lead to a
constitutional crisis. In August nineteen eighty one, Abadytonal rode to
the Governor notifying him of his upcoming trip to Loun
done for medical reasons, including his overseas address and phone number,
purely informative. Much requested permission. Anabanjo replied, demanding more details

(02:11):
of the trip and the earth grounds, apparently implying that
it needed this approval. Aber Little not Bristood, reminding him
that his letter was purely a costsy and that as
a traditional monarch, he did not require permission to travel. Defiant,
he departed anyway, changing his full number to avoid for

(02:32):
their contact. On November twenty to, nineteen eighty one, Governor A.

(02:54):
Banjo issued a proclamation suspending their Uji from office. An
unprecedented move established a Commission of Inquiry under Justice Solomon
O'shuburton to investigate ober detoners perceived in subordination and administrative conduct.
True to the Governor's intention, the commission reported unfavorably, and

(03:15):
by early nineteen eighty two. The Aguja was formerly deposed
by the uguann State Executive Council. Obasiki required the Adetona
mounted a legal challenge against the Ugu State government, contesting
the validity of the Suburton Commission of Inquiry which are
recommended his the position. His legal team was formidable, led

(03:40):
by none other than Chief F. R. A. Williams, one
of Nigeria's greatest lego minds, and supported by chiefs. She
ordered a prominent dijable lawyer. As the case made its
way through the court, political events moved dramatic speed. Governor
BC on a Banjo demand, who had orchestrated the position,

(04:00):
was related and sworn in for a second term on
October first, nineteen eighty three. For a time it appeared
that ther Wichardles's fate had been sealed, but destiny, always patient,
waited quietly in the wings. Just two months and thirty
days later, on the seven thirty first, nineteen eighty three,

(04:24):
the Ninegerian Second Republic collapsed in a Swiss military coup.
In a broadcast, Regadia Toni Abacher announced the takeover of
the government by the military. Democratically elected administration of Presidential
Ushagary was overtrawn and Major General Mahmadu Buwari assumed the

(04:44):
rule of the head of state in Ugu State. Brigadier
Aladi pod Year, a fellow Jebus son from Udobulu, was
appointed the new military governor. The terran had shifted then
in nineteen. In eighty four, the divining movement arrived. Justice
Colourly of Yoguren State Iigh Court delivered a landmark judgment.

(05:09):
The court nullified the findings of the Sugartun's Commission and
ruled that ober thetonal the position was unlawful. It ordered
this immediate reinstatement to dis tool of the Ujale of
Djebu Land. The military administration of Brigady Idea, rather than
appealing the ruling, respected the court's decision without drama or delay.

(05:31):
The judgment was enforced and thus obaseecur Rekirdiadaitonal returned to
his trill in Jebu dy restored, vi indicated and unbroken.
The monarch who had when the post returned not in
discrease but in quiet triumph, like a cat with nine lives.
He resumed his place not only as a custodian of tradition,

(05:53):
but as a symbol of endurance, dignity, and a power
of lawful resistance. From that moment, a new era began,
an era that was panned decades as Ober Daytona continued
to reign with wisdom, courage, and convention. Discs of nineteen
eighty one remained, but they became part of a larger story,

(06:16):
one of resilience in the face of injustice and a
king who refused to be called. Over the next forty
one years until his transition on July thirteenth, twenty twenty five,
Obasiki Rukayodia Daytonal would go on to become one of
Nigeria's longest serving monarchs, revered across the nation not only

(06:38):
for his longevity, but for the strength of his character
and the examples he sent. That was an intense story
on the Auchalian vigeable land. Thank you for listening to

(06:59):
this episode of Ara CURRENCIEI podcast. Stay tuned for more
in full till the next time. I remain Luashe Yogunshakin.
Don't forget to listen to our podcast on Spotify, YouTube
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