Column and columnist mourn the passing of the elder statesman, revered Afenifere grandee, distinguished author, lawyer and legendary political operative behind the curtain, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi. A man of muscular Christianity and deep spiritual faith, Sir Olaniwun was also one of the most sophisticated and accomplished political chess players thrown up by the Awo tradition in Nigeria’s modern political history.
As an avatar of the creed of apostolic followership, he was ready to do anything for an adored leader he regarded as next to God and for a political cause he regarded as sacrosanct and sanctified by the presiding deities of his people. If it led to a certain rigidity and inflexibility of strategy and tactics, so be it.
If it warrants a prompt foreclosure of other competing options then to the devil with such options. It was adamant discipleship at its most visionary and ennobling. They do not come like this anymore. Yet in a multi-ethnic nation with other competing deities, it was bound to lead to a permanent collision of altars and a seething confrontation with other faiths powered by equal zeal and self-belief.
But like his surviving fellow disciples, the late political juggernaut was not about to be fazed by such little national difficulties. In fact, they seem to relish the slow-motion adversarial leisureliness of the permanent Yoruba political warfare. “Ijafaajini’ja Yoruba”, as one of them famously put it. Whether in frenzied opposition or wary collaboration with the centre, it is this questing and questioning spirit dating back to the Oduduwa Revolution a millennium earlier that has defined the essence of the Yoruba Question in modern Nigeria.
As it is said, looking at a king’s mouth, no one would ever believe that he suckled at his mother’s breasts. It is hard to imagine that Sir Olaniwun was a self-made man who had lifted himself up by the bootstraps slogging his way through primary school and teacher training college before finally making his way to England to study law when he was already the headmaster of a local primary school. It is an inspirational story worthy of emulation by generations to come.
Compact, well-built, erect till the very end and carrying himself with an understated aristocratic flair which remindedone of ancient Yoruba nobility, the late patriarch was a man of immense personal charms and abiding generosity of spirit. But only the most foolhardy would take this as a license for political rascality. Behind the smooth and alluring exterior, there was a hint of steel infrastructure.
Till the very end, the old man was concerned and disturbed by the fate of his people in the colonial conundrum that is Nigeria. A few weeks back, he had come for a meeting somewhere in Bourdillon, Ikoyi together with Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Rueben Fasoranti to deliberate on the fractious nature of Yoruba politics and the way forward. He had spoken extempore and without notes for almost an hour. Nobody guessed then that he had come to say goodbye. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Adieu papa and his “piping hot” pounded yam.