The Story of Alaafin Oluewu

The Alaafin Oluewu is one of the most tragic as his life was messed up by Ilorin. This vibrant king made spirited attempts to recover Ilorin but things turned around along the way & it was so bad that he had to visit Ilorin to bow before the Emir, Shita (who was the son of Alimi), in homage.

It was one of the most disgraceful points in the history of Alaafinate & many even avoid talking about it or do so with great sadness. When Oluewu bowed before Emir Shita, he seized the royal Gbedu drum saying there can be no two kings in his dominion. Oluewu never wanted to pay homage in the first place but his chiefs had advised him to stoop to conquer. Ilorin was that powerful then or let me say Oyo was that weak. Shita deeply humiliated Oluewu so much so that he stormed to Oyo & flatly refused Shita's second call for homage. Basorun & Asipa told him to go, Alaafin vowed that would happen over his dead body. He then instructed his chiefs not to also go but Basorun & Asipa disobeyed & went to bow before Shita in Ilorin.

Alaafin Oluewu remained unbowed & refused to accept Islam but he decided to take decisive steps. So, in 1835, he restructured his army & formed one of the most formidable military alliances called the Oyo-Borgu Military Alliance. He reached out to leader of the Borgu (Bariba) Empire (Borgawa Eleduwe Warikura) north of the River Niger & they joined hands to face their common enemy: Fulani emirate in Ilorin.

They commenced battle & Alaafin Oluewu led the forces. They recorded tremendous victory at first, it was almost certain he was going to reclaim Ilorin. It was on the last leg of his battle to take over the northern portion of Yorubaland (particularly Ilorin) from the Fulanis that he was killed. Alaafin Oluewu's death was orchestrated by Yoruba elders like Okedare Lanloke (Chief of Ogodo), Prince Atiba of Ago, Timi the Bamigbaiye of Ede & others. They went against what they had initially planned together with Alaafin Oluewu & they leaked the battle plan to the Fulanis. Some of them even opened the corridor for Fulani soldiers to penetrate. Oluewu did not know that his army had sold out to his enemy. The Borgus that he formed alliance with supported him till the very end but treachery & betrayal from his own side did not allow him achieve his dream & he was killed in battle. The Bariba warrior king Warikura also died fighting on Oluewu's side.

This is not a full piece, I am just writing briefly because I think Kabiyesi Oluewu's effort is not really well-known. He is one of my favourite kings & I admire his resilience. Many Alaafins made a lot of effort to free other Yorubas, another example is Alaafin Ojigi (1724-1735) who tried to free Igbomina Yorubas who were captured by the Nupes. More history coming out very soon!!!

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