The Asabari Vanguard, a sociocultural group representing the indigenes of Saki, has called on the Oyo state House of Assembly and Oyo State government to include the Okere of Saki in the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council.
The group’s chairman, Alhaji Adebimpe Kakabijawuta, and general secretary, Mr. S. Y. Ajibade, made the demand in a statement on Tuesday, citing the historical and cultural significance of Saki and its monarch, the Okere.
According to the statement, Saki played a crucial role in the history of the Oyo Empire, hosting the displaced Alaafin of Oyo after the empire’s downfall in 1837.
The Okere of Saki also wears an ancient crown rooted in history and time, and the town has a rich cultural heritage, including being one of the few towns in Yorubaland with a British army barrack as early as 1887.
The Asabari Vanguard argued that the Okere of Saki’s exclusion from the rotational chairmanship would be a disregard for the town’s historical and cultural contributions to Oyo State.
The group urged the state government to reconsider the proposed bill and ensure that the Okere of Saki is included in the rotation, which would foster unity and equity among traditional rulers in the state.
The group’s demand is based on the town’s historical significance, administrative importance, and cultural contributions, which they believe warrant the Okere of Saki’s inclusion in the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council.
The state reads in full:
OKERE OF SAKI DESERVE A ROTATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP OF OYO STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS – ASABARI VANGUARD
We, the Asabari Vanguard, a sociocultural group representing the indigenes of Saki, under our president, Alhaji Adebimpe Kakabijawuta and General Secretary, Mr. S. Y. Ajibade, write to express our concerns regarding the bill currently under consideration for the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council. Specifically, we take issue with the exclusion of the Okere of Saki from this rotation, alongside the Alafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadan, and Soun of Ogbomosho
It is well established historically that the defunct Old Oyo empire came to extinction in 1837 and the Okere of Saki hosted the displaced Alaafin of Oyo at a place still known as ‘aafin’ quarters in Saki. Effectively, the history of the new Oyo cannot be written without the constructive supports of Saki town.
Moreover, Saki is older both in history and exploits than the towns placed on concurrent chairmanship with Oyo. Okere of Saki wears an ancient crown rooted in history and time than the said monarchs.
Historical evidence and cultural significance underscore the importance of Saki and its monarch, the Okere, in the fabric of Oyo State’s heritage. Notably, Saki was one of the few towns in Yorubaland with a British army barrack as early as 1887, a testament to its strategic importance. Moreover, the Okere of Saki holds a unique place in history as the only Oba in Yorubaland who entered into treaties with both British and French colonialists, ultimately opting to align with the British.
Furthermore, Saki’s role as a zonal and district headquarters prior to the creation of Osun State from the old Oyo State highlights its administrative significance. The Okere of Saki’s ranking, among other traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun and Oyo State, is well-established, reflecting the town’s historical, socioeconomic, and cultural contributions
Given these facts, we urge the House to reconsider the proposed bill and ensure that the Okere of Saki is included in the rotation for the chairmanship of the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council. This inclusion would not only be a nod to historical precedence but also a recognition of Saki’s enduring impact on the state’s sociocultural landscape.
We believe that a more inclusive approach would foster unity and equity among traditional rulers in Oyo State, ultimately benefiting the state’s development and cultural heritage.
Thank you for considering our submission.
