AKURE UNDER THE BRITISH RULE

British contact with Akure, like other parts of Yorubaland could be traced back to the activities of the British traders and Christian missionaries in the 19th century.On the eve of the British administration in Akure,precisely in 1897, a detachment of Hausa Constabulary was stationed in Akure under Lieutenant A.O.C Scott. Eight officers were in charge of the detachment until it was withdrawn in March 1900, as a result of the formation of the North Eastern District of the Lagos Government in 1899 in which Akure was place.

In June 1901, the Akure District was transferred to the Eastern Division with Headquarters at Ondo. The administration of Yorubaland, like other parts of Nigeria, operated under a British superstructure, which had the Governor of Nigeria at the zenith of authority. Next in hierarchy was the Lieutenant General of Southern Nigeria, who was closely followed by the Resident of Provinces. Each Resident also had a number of District Officers under his control while the District Officers were, in turn, assisted by Assistant District Officers.

Basically, Yorubaland was divided into six administrative districts and each district was under the supervision of a British Travelling Commissioner assisted by a detachment of colonial police. The Central District had its headquarters at Ibadan and comprised Ibadan, Oyo and Ife areas. The present day Egbado Division was also constituted into the Western District and the headquarters were at Badagry, and Ilaro. Ilesa and Ado-Ekiti also in turn served as administrative headquarters of the North-Eastern District,while Ode-Ondo served as the headquarters of the Eastern District constituted by Akure, Owo, Idanre, Ondo and Okitipupa.

The Native Authority Ordinance of No.14 of 1916 formally constituted Native Authorities in Akure and other Western Provinces. However, after main changes in the British Colonial Administrative in Nigeria, the Akure District was merged with the newly constituted Ekiti Division and Akure was made the headquarters of the then newly created Ondo Province. Thus, Akure District continued to be governed as part of Ekiti Division until April, 1946 when it was separated after a fiercer struggle. It is generally accepted that Oba Afunbiowo Adesida (1897-1957) was the architect of Akure socio-political development during this period. His legendary, accommodating disposition, liberalism and generosity with land were responsible for the phenomenal development of Akure. Government agencies and missionary bodies had no problem acquiring land for their projects. These factors largely made Akure the preference when the headquarters of the defunct Ondo Province and the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo established in 1943, were to be chosen.

The early British settlers in Akure and Nigeria in general recognised the importance of the establishment of law and order if they would succeed in colonising Nigeria. And for law and order to be accepted by the people, they felt that there was the need not only to preserve the existing political and judicial institutions, as much as possible but also that the people should participate in the administration of justice. Hence Native Courts were established with the view of enabling the indigenous people to participate in the administration of justice and for the preservation and enforcement of their customs and laws.

Thus, under the British colonial administration, customary courts were set up to replace the highest traditional court (the Deji’s court). Membership of the Native Court consisted of those persons that government had come to regard as chiefs. And by the second decade of the twentieth century, District Officers were often engaged in preventing the Oba and chiefs from holding private courts in their own respective palaces and compounds. Their aim was to prevent fines from being imposed and punishments from being inflicted in these courts. The implication of this was the relegation of the kingship institution to the second stage of newly created political hierarchy created. Thus, the office Deji, as was the case elsewhere in Nigeria, which had been the last authority prior to colonial intrusion would have to consult the British official and seek their approval before it could embark on any public duties. Invariably, the Deji now had himself instructed, coordinated and directed by alien authority. Consequently, the statement, alase ekeji orisa, became a mere expression in remembrance of pre-colonial kingship institution as the real political power in the land had been transferred from the Deji to the British officials, who he was now answerable to.

Source: A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF SOCIO-POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION IN AKURE REGION UP TO THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD by Afe, Adedayo Emmanuel, PhD.

By Oluwafemi Omodara