I have been a keen follower of the Arole Oodua since his ascension unto the throne of his forefather as the Ooni of Ile-Ife.I have followed him not just because he represents my heritage but because of his age, vision and the unity of the Yoruba which he immediately started pushing for. I also followed the stories that arose when the idea of a union between him and Olori Aana first came into limelight, such that could have evaporated Ojaja’s affection for Arabirin Wuraola long before now. Despite all said and done, Kabiyesi chose his Olori and brought her to Afin Adimula. For almost two years, they lived together as King and Queen until certain public pictures started showing a likelihood of things falling apart between Arole and his Olori.
Until recently, when the Olori Aana revealed that truly ‘the rich also cry’ in her statement on the royal divorce. In her statement, she was rumored to have been divorced by Ooni Ogunwusi because of infidelity and infertility during the almost eighteen months of the royal bond. Though the Olori Aana refuted such insinuation but rather said “the throne is sacred and the attempts to tarnish the name of a Queen, in defense or on behalf of a silent King makes all involved look terrible…the seeds of slander are cancer that harvests to eat away the souls of the planter.” Such statement is heavy and pregnant with meaning, only those wise enough would understand.
Many have also taken into the social media to wash the estranged Queen and even went to the extent of abusing her. Despite Kabiyesi’s silence, others also had time to castigate Kabiyesi for marrying her and even divorcing her when he could have simply married another wife or wives. However, what I also think we should rather do is not to ask why Ojaja II married or divorced her, or the involvement of the King’s sisters in the whole issue (as rumored in other quarters). Rather, we should ask why can’t Kabiyesi divorce her if that would protect him and the kingdom he represents? We should not even think whatever decision made by the Ooni was influenced by his sisters (as been rumored), except if we are saying the gods are not wise enough to pick a wise young man as the Arole Oodua. Except if we are saying Kabiyesi is not man enough to take informed decisions. The silence of Kabiyesi on this matter should not be taken as a weakness, guilty conscience or innocence. Kabiyesi should continue to keep mute over the matter, as he owed nobody an explanation on this matter. No member of the public knows everything that transpired between him and the Olori Aana, only both knows, and both have made a decision that should not bother the rest to the extent of seeking an explanation from any of them. They both owed the rest of us an iota of explanation. Their reasons should remain with them and should be respected by all. I have never seen nor heard in history where the gods were asked to account for their actions by the rules/led.The igba keji orisa has done the needful in the interest of his life and the throne he represents and oathed to protect. Kabiyesi should not bow to public pressure to say a word on the issue. The Olori Aana has done well by not disrespecting the Kabiyesi with her statement but could have done better by not even saying a word.
We as the public would also do well to leave her alone as she moves to the next level of her life. It is unfair to disrespect or abuse her for whatever reason we thought we know might have caused her departure from the Afin Adimula for life. We need not exhibit our verbal diarrhea on her unfortunate situation because no matter what we know, we do not and can never know more than what she knows about it all. She deserves respect like every other person and her decision(s) or consequences of her action(s) should be respected. It is unfair for anyone of us to make her an object of ridicule based on an allegation of infertility and infidelity. Perhaps, it is a clarion call for all of us to look again at how we treat such issues (infertility and infidelity at home). May be our society would be better if we find a better way of resolving such issue and relating with people involved fairly. May be our society could be better if we do not turn such incidence into domestic and community abuse of those involved, but rather show them more love and support them to overcome such. May be it is the time we all realize that we may have freedom over our actions and reactions, over our choices and decisions, but not over the consequences of it. Ojaja II’s decision should be respected by all, Olori Aana’s exit should be respected as well. Otherwise, let s/he who has no sin cast the first or another stone. May the new life of Olori Aana be better than her past, may Eledua-the creator of heavens and earth continue to protect Kabiyesi with more wisdom to lead the Kingdom. Long live Ooni Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. God bless the King and his Kingdom.- Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Abuja, Nigeria)
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