Whenever tension rises across the region, a single question is hurled into the public space with anger, frustration, and deliberate mischief: Where is the Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams? Critics frequently point to the worsening South-West Nigeria insecurity to question the relevance of this ancient office. They ask what purpose the title serves when farmers are displaced, travellers are kidnapped, and communities are invaded. Some have even described the current holder of the title as inactive, irrelevant, or useless. But is that criticism fair, or are we demanding ancient military action from a traditional office operating under a modern constitutional order?
The Ancient Structure of Yoruba Regional Security
Before condemning the current holder, we must understand what the institution represented historically. In the days of the old Oyo Empire, the Kakanfo was not an honorary chief or a ceremonial personality. He was the Generalissimo of the Yoruba military forces—the supreme field commander expected to lead expeditions against external aggression.
The Kakanfo did not operate as a lonely individual begging for resources or attempting to finance operations from his private pocket. He commanded warriors, worked with established war chiefs, and had access to state logistics. The empire, tributary communities, and provincial authorities contributed warriors, weapons, and food. The historical Kakanfo was backed by an established system.
Constitutional Restraints on the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC)
That imperial world no longer exists. The South-West states are constituent parts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and are governed by the Constitution. The authority to maintain armed forces and control prohibited weapons is vested solely in state institutions. The present Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams cannot lawfully raise a private army simply because his traditional title was historically associated with military command.
Can he unilaterally invade forests or commence armed operations without legal authority? Should he assemble a personal army and expose thousands of members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) to arrest, prosecution, or death? History already provides answers to these questions for those who expect him to act outside the law.
Testing the Might of the Nigerian State
During the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gani Adams and the Oodua Peoples Congress OPC were deeply involved in the Yoruba self-determination movement. That struggle placed them in direct confrontation with the federal government. Gani Adams was declared wanted, arrested, and faced severe criminal allegations. He has personally described his experiences in detention as horrible, dehumanising, and damaging to his livelihood.
Where was the concerted Yoruba support when he was in prison? The record of that period is uncomfortable. Numerous members were arrested, tortured, and killed, yet overwhelming public support was largely absent.
The Ilorin episode of October 2000 remains another powerful warning. When violent confrontations broke out involving activists and the police, lives were lost. After the noise subsided, those who made the loudest demands disappeared, leaving families to endure the consequences alone.
The Iskilu Wakili Precedent in Yoruba Regional Security
Anyone who believes that non-state actors can simply apprehend suspected criminals without consequences must remember the Iskilu Wakili episode of 2021. Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) participated in the operation that apprehended Wakili, who had been accused of terrorising communities in Oyo State.
“Instead of being universally celebrated and protected, three OPC members involved in the operation were arrested, detained and taken before a court.”
They spent months in custody before they were eventually discharged following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. This happened in the same constitutional democracy in which people are now calling on Gani Adams to act. The very same society that demands action frequently remains silent when those who acted are arrested.
From Battlefields to Politics: The Changing Nature of the Title
The evolution of the institution did not begin today. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the 13th Kakanfo, was a lawyer, politician, and Premier of the old Western Region. His strength was political and intellectual; he did not command an independent army.
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the 14th Kakanfo, was a businessman, philanthropist, and symbol of democratic resistance. His greatest battle became the struggle for the validation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The office long ago moved from the ancient battlefield into politics, cultural influence, and social mobilisation.
Cultural Defence and National Mobilisation
Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams inherited the title under a strict constitutional order. No honest observer can erase his history of activism and sacrifice. He has consistently helped to preserve the memory of June 12 through annual lectures financed through personal resources.
Through the Oodua Progressive Union, he has built an international network connecting Yoruba people across scores of countries. This is another form of defence against cultural erasure and historical amnesia. Furthermore, through the Olokun Festival Foundation, he has promoted numerous cultural festivals that support local economies and transmit oral traditions to younger generations. A modern Kakanfo defends his people by protecting their history and sustaining their collective consciousness.
Integrating Traditional Networks to Fight South-West Nigeria Insecurity
It is inaccurate to suggest that Gani Adams has remained silent about South-West Nigeria insecurity. He has repeatedly written to governors, called for security summits, and argued that organisations with local knowledge should be integrated into a lawful framework.
The establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, demonstrates why legal authority matters. Amotekun could not operate merely because traditional leaders declared it. State governments had to enact enabling laws and allocate public resources.
The security of the region cannot be solved by one person or one traditional title. It requires coordinated action by the federal government, state governors, and formal security agencies. Rather than insult the Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams, the society should focus on building a lawful, properly funded, and intelligence-driven security architecture where traditional networks can contribute meaningfully without violating the law.
