From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Pa Tiamiyu Olalere Alabi. Ever heard of that name? He was one of the oldest surviving warriors who participated in the dreaded Agbekoya War between 1968 and 1969.
He was known as Ayalu. It depicted his sterling war qualities, including, bravery, agility and spiritual powers to subdue perceived enemies, no matter their number.
A report by Wikipedia claimed: “The Agbekoya Parapo Revolt of 1968 to 1969, popularly known as Agbekoya or the Egbe Agbekoya Revolt, was a peasant revolt in Nigeria’s former Western Region, home to the majority of the country’s Yoruba population.
“This war was fought and won against the Federal (Military) Government of Nigeria by the Ibadan people of present Oyo State, on behalf of all Yoruba land. It was spearheaded by two villages in Ibadan; Akanran and Akufo village.
“It is the most well known peasant-driven political revolt in Western Nigerian history and continues to be referenced by grassroots organisations as a successful example of collective action against unpopular government policies.
“The revolt was predominantly aimed at agitating for a reduction in taxes, though some believed there were also political catalysts.”
Ayalu was said to be the second-in-command to the leader of the war in Akufo, in the present Iddo Local Government, Oyo State. The leader of the revolt in Akufo was Pa Sadiku Bogunmbe. Also, Pa Tafa Adeoye led the revolt in Akanran, the current headquarters of Ona-Ara Local Government.
After the end of the revolt, Ayalu invested in shoemaking business. He was patron of different chapters of cobblers in Ibadan.
He also participated actively in the struggles for emancipation of Yoruba race. He was the founder of Agbekoya Warriors, one of the social-cultural groups complementing government’s efforts to ensure security of life and property in Yoruba land.
Daily Sun visited the house that Pa Ayalu built and lived in till his death at Oluwoye’s Compound, Irefin, Ibadan. It was discovered that his two wives died before him and his children were not around.
A family member, Gafar Erinfolami, who lives in the house, said Ayalu breathed his last on June 25, 2022, aged 125 years: “He was born in 1897 and died in 2022. The eighth day fidau was held on July 2. The final burial rites will be performed on November 5, 2022.
“Baba Ayalu spoke to us on his spiritual powers. He transferred many of the powers to us. Then, he told us how to use them. He said we should not allow Agbekoya to go into extinction.
“He instructed us to use the powers he gave us and Agbekoya to help Yoruba cause. He warned us not to use Agbekoya to fight our fellow Yoruba, but those who want to cheat Yoruba. He also taught us about humility.
“Baba Ayalu truly played a leading role in the Agbekoya Revolt. He was to be the leader but he chose Tafa Adeoye to be the leader instead. He told us that he took the decision because Adeoye was bold and could speak English language very well. The revolt took place in many villages, but Akufo and Akanran villages were the serious battlegrounds.
“Baba Ayalu told us that before the war broke out, there had been meetings on the unfavourable policies of the then government, that
said women should pay tax. Before then, only men were paying taxes.
They agreed to continue the payment of the taxes, but not their wives.
In the midst of this, the taxes being paid by men were increased.
“After the increment, women were still asked to pay taxes. The farmers queried why they would be paying taxes and their wives too would pay.
Then, women depended largely on the works being done by their husbands to live.
“When the war started, soldiers and mobile policemen were deployed to
Akanran and Akufo to quell the revolt. We were told that there was no soldier that went there that could remove his uniform again.
“Those who tried to do so, their fleshes peeled with the uniforms.
Those who climbed trees could not come down again. They got lost on the trees. Water came out from the mouths of machine guns brought by soldiers.
“The intervention of Chief Obafemi Awolowo led to the end of the war.
The government had to concede to the demands of the farmers.
“I must say that there are still powerful people in Yoruba land. But the government must give us the call before we can deploy what we have in our arsenal to defend a particular cause.”
Erinfolami, however, revealed that Pa Ayalu has a son, working with Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), though he could not link this reporter with the son yet at the time this report was filed.
The immediate younger brother to Pa Ayalu, Pa Alimi Oladele, the Oluode Imini, also linked the remote cause of the revolt to the activities of the government against coco farmers, and the immediate cause to increments taxes to be paid by men as well as introduction of taxes for women.
He described Ayalu as a brave and true believer in the Yoruba cause:
He dedicated his life to the service of Yoruba land.”
Otunba Deji Osibogun, a leading voice in the Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training Foundation, said: “Baba Ayalu, as he was fondly called, was one of the last heroes of the famous Agbekoya Riots of the 60’s
“Baba Ayalu was a patriot of Yoruba land rising on several occasions to lend support for the protection and actualisation of Yoruba land.
He was the founding President of Yoruba Koya Movement, before it metamorphosed into Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training Foundation, where he served as a patron.
“Ayalu lived a life full of struggle and Spartan discipline. He will be greatly missed as we continue our sojourn for a land of peace and plenty for Yoruba land.”
Founder, Oodua Warriors, Mr. Francis Ajibode, told Daily Sun: “I served as Secretary of Agbekoya Warriors founded by Pa Ayalu. I had founded my own Oodua Warriors then. But I joined forces with Baba so that we could achieve together.
“Baba actually named the group Agbekoya. I am the one that added Warriors to the name when I came on board. I served Baba for many years before I returned to my own Oodua Warriors.
“Pa Ayalu was a man of self-discipline and uncommon courage. He was a good team player. He truly defended the Yoruba cause, till his demise.”