A call to conscience and unity in defence of Idanre Kingdom

To the esteemed sons and daughters of our great kingdom, Idanre at home and in the diaspora, across generations, professions, and social and political standing; this is a critical moment to stand as soldiers that we are in defence of our ancient kingdom.

In this solemn moment of our history, when the throne of our ancestors stands vacant and the spirit of our late king His Royal Highness Oba (Dr.) Fredrick Gbolagunte Aroloye still lingers among us, our kingdom faces a test of unity, courage, and collective responsibility. The transition to a new royal head is not merely a cultural procedure; it is the heartbeat of our identity, the foundation of our peace, and the symbol of our continuity as a people.

It is therefore with deep apprehension that we perceive the recent disruption of the selection process, an interruption triggered by a single masqueraded individual whose petition, by all reasonable assessment, lacks merit, legitimacy, and the backing of the community. This solitary action has halted a process that belongs to all of us, not to one person, not to a political office, and not to any external influence.

Yet, what is even more disconcerting is the silence that has followed; a silence from our elites who have in particular benefitted immensely from the peace and unity sustained by our late king, a silence from our intellectuals who have graciously benefitted from the fruits of the land, a silence from our wealthy sons and daughters who have laboured and reaped from the good soil of the land by virtue of blessings that abide in the land, a silence from our youths who have decided to be silent due to inferiority complex and some that have turned themselves to instruments in the hands of our political and social gladiators, a silence from those who have travelled far and wide and proudly call this kingdom home but have distanced themselves from the kingdom that prayed and blessed them while they sojourn, a silence from those who should know better but feel that the kingdom belong to some certain set of people or feels that the kingdom is a common ground where they feel an individual should not step forward to defend its abnormalities.

This silence is dangerous.At a time when there is a real possibility that external forces, particularly the state government may attempt to hijack the process due to infiltration of individual who feels they are politically connected and powerful and impose a preferred candidate on us, our quietness becomes an open invitation for interference. History has shown that when a people fail to defend their heritage, others will gladly take it from them.At this point in time, all elites, all Idanre sons and daughters across the globe must ask ourselves: Is this the legacy we want to leave behind? Is this how we honour the memory of our late king, who dedicated his reign to peace, unity, and fairness?

Is this how we reward the head of our kingmakers, a man of proven integrity, respected across the land, and entrusted with safeguarding our traditions?If our elites remain silent now, what message are they sending to future generations? That the kingdom can be manipulated by one voice? That our customs can be suspended by a single petition masterminded by an egoistic, avaricious masqueraded individual? That our heritage can be traded for political convenience?

This is not who we are.Our kingdom is known for its wisdom, its courage, and its unity. We are a people who stand together when it matters most. We are a people who defend what is ours. We are a people who do not allow fear, indifference, or political intimidation to silence us.Therefore, as a concern Makanre this is a call, a call to rise, a call to speak, and a call to act. Let every son and daughter of Idanre kingdom come out of hiding, every son and daughter who have benefitted from the prosperity of the land. Let us abandon the attitude of “it does not concern me” and let us stand shoulder to shoulder and demand the restoration of the halted selection process.

Let us affirm our trust in the kingmakers and in the traditional procedures that have guided our ancestors for generations.The throne of our kingdom is not a political appointment neither is it a reward for loyalty to any government. It is not a bargaining chip as it is a sacred institution that belongs to the people.

If we fail to defend it now, we will have no moral right to complain tomorrow. Let this moment awaken our collective conscience and let it prompt us that silence is not neutrality rather it is surrender and our kingdom must never surrender its heritage.

May unity guide us.May courage strengthen us.

May wisdom lead us.

Signed,Engr. Samuel Oluwole Afolabi (AFO)+2348168041964 ([email protected])