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Ilorin, not Hausa/Fulani town

By Ayodele Fagbohun

The Fulani revolt otherwise known as Sokoto Jihad of 1804 coupled with Yoruba civil wars were historic watershed in Ilorin, a foremost Yoruba town on the Southern fringe of Northern Nigeria.

Regardless of the fact that Hausa had expansionist ambitions which flew a spurious kite of Hausa Bakwai or bastard seven Hausa states. These consisted of other areas not actually part of Hausaland proper: Zamfara, Kebbi, Gwari, Yauri, Nupe, Ilorin and Kwarafafa.

In these areas, Hausa languages/culture took root and claimed to be under the influence of Hausaland.

Secondly, amid 19th century turmoil’s, treachery and strives, Ilorin town came under the siege of Fulani’s expansionist rule under the pretext of purification of Islam from “heathenism” prevalent in the area.

According to Samuel Johnson, the Balogun of Oyo who authored “History of Yoruba”, the city of Ilorin, a Yoruba town was founded by Laderin who became the first monarch. The Oba of Ilorin, Laderin, the founder was succeeded by Pasin who in turn handed over to his valiant son, Afonja whom rule ended in fiasco.

Ilorin must be noted, is sometimes called Afonja Ilorin, this was because Afonja was not only the most renowned rulers of the town but was the one who developed the city to be a great commercial nerve centre and of political importance.

From the backdrop, it is historical fallacy and misnomer to say that Ilorin is part and parcel of Fulani caliphate. Doubtless, it is a conquered territory which sooner than later will assert its cultural independence and join its kith and kin in Yorubaland to which it rightly belong.

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Having established their power in the North, the Fulani began in earnest the policy of aggression and interference in the internal affairs of the southern states including Ilorin.

The once powerful Oyo empire suffered from instability and decay. In 1817, Afonja, the Kakanfo or Commander of Oyo army revolted against his overlord, the Alaafin and proclaimed himself as ruler of Ilorin.

In order to assert his independence from Oyo, Afonja solicited help from the Fulani and appointed Mallam Alimi into his service as counselor and advisor, a man whose son secretly possessed a jihad flag.

Although, Oyo was unable to bring Afonja back under its rule, he founded himself more dominated and sheer stooge of the Fulani’s hegemony.

For his haughtiness, egotism, the most crafty Alimi assassinated his treacherous friend, Afonja and installed his (Alimi’s) son on the throne, and brought Ilorin within the ruling Fulani caliphate.

This sad commentary was unprecedented, unthinkable and utterly reprehensible in the annals of Yoruba history.

However, this palpable and unpardonable distortion of history, standing the truth on the head, and the reckless sadism which often trails persistent and incorrigible celebrations of blatant historical falsehood, half truths and propaganda in our contemporary history  shall never stand the test of time. No matter how strenuously hard some frivolous, fair weather and power drunken men of affairs choose to pervert and distort the course of history, the truth shall prevail one day.

The chequered history of the illustrious citizens of Ilorin and where the people truly belong continually resonate and preoccupy a robust centre of public discourse.

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In the distant past during colonial administration, it was not farfetched that Otun-Ekiti, Ilorin and part of Akoko area in the present Ondo State were culturally homogeneous, interrelated and participated in the native court administration.

Perhaps, it was the outcome of Berlin Conference of 1884/85 where the Imperial Powers of Germany, Great Britain and France scrambled for powers ruthlessly partitioned Africa for their naked self interest and for economic cupidity.

This was the secret behind the present lopsidedness, decay, debility and underdevelopment of Africa in consequence of our pernicious colonial history.

In any case, it is imperative and timely for the great people of this country to wake up from their political stupor and mental inertia, come to the round table; redraw the political map to reflect the linguistic and ethnic formulae in arriving at viable states or regions as federal union of Nigeria.

In this connection, there is the need more than hitherto for Ilorin and Kabba province in the present Kogi State to reunite with their kith and kin in Yorubaland. This will serve as a formidable and invincible team to reposition Nigeria as a workable, united and prosperous federation.

Ilorin as a significant Yoruba town should revert to the original chieftaincy title, “Oba of Ilorin” as it was called during the reign of Laderin who founded the community as the first monarch, until the rude incursion of Fulani imperialism.

Alimi, the Islamic cleric and priest who imposed an emirate on the peaceful Yoruba community was a usurper and invader, pure and simple.

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Afonja, as the great grandson of Laderin remained the legitimate title holder of Oba of Ilorin, no matter how grievous his errors were as no man is infallible. His descendants, the Afonja lineage are still very much around to assume de jure “Obaship” of Ilorin.

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Ilorin, not Hausa/Fulani town

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