- Ado-Odo monarch beaten by protesters, palace set ablaze
- Deji of Akure deposed, banished, arrested
- Monarch arrested for stealing plantains
From time immemorial, the royal institution has always been regarded as sacred. A certain awe shrouded in mystery surrounds the royal stool. This permeates all cultures and creeds. In Nigeria, the monarch is regarded as second to none but the gods.
That probably explains why the Yoruba call their oba, "Kabiyesi, Alase, ekeji orisa." The unquestionable one, one with authority who ranks next only to the gods.
Monarchy, among the Yoruba according to culture icon and Chief Ifa Priest of Osogboland, Osun State, Araba Ifayemi Osundagbonu Elebuibon, is as old as time itself. Indeed, Elebuibon maintained, the Yoruba so hold their monarchs in such a high esteem that some of them were venerated and even deified at the end of the day.
Examples of this are many but chiefs among them are Oduduwa, the progenitor of the race himself, Oranyan his son who was also the founder of the great Oyo Empire, Sango another Alaafin of Oyo who became the Yoruba god of lightning and thunder.
The list goes on and on. In the North where Islam holds sway, the monarchs are not regarded as gods but their word is law. The emirs led by the Sultan are both the spiritual and political heads of their people. This goes as far as the Bornu Kingdom where the Shehu holds sway.
None dares caress the sword of the monarch. Shouts of "Saaarki, rankadeede" Glorious one, long may you live rent the air whenever any emir passes in the northern part of the country and no one dares utter the sound standing up. All must stoop with one arm and clenched fist stretched forward in salute. A glorious sight indeed it is when a northern monarch makes one of his rare appearances.
Though a late entrant into the institution of monarchy, an igwe in Igboland is not treated with less respect and reverence. "Obi egwu! Eze kali eze.Obi Igwe" Monarch the lion him! The ultimate and the authority of creation. Events in recent years have, however, made the spectacle described above more like romanticism.
The mass media is now inundated with headlines and stories which could not but make one think of how low the regard and respect for the traditional stool has sunk. One could not but wonder which mortal hands have raised themselves against the representatives of the celestials.
*Hoodlums defecate in Oba's palace after beating him
*Oba, seven others remanded in prison
*Traditional ruler remanded in prison for alleged murder
*Oba rapes corps member ...docked, released on bail
*Police arrest monarch's son, for kidnapping, robbery
*Imo monarch on the run as police declare him wanted for kidnapping
* Kaduna monarch remanded in prison over murder
* Kidnapping: Monarch, four others remanded in prison custody
* Hoodlums sack Ondo monarch from palace
* Emir of Kano saved in attack, driver, orderly killed and others
* One killed, 7 injured as Emir of Fika escapes death in suicide bomb attack
* Shehu of Borno, Deputy Gov escape death as suicide bomber hits mosque
* ALUU KILLINGS: Omukiri monarch, 20 other suspects arrested
* Osun Monarch beaten to stupor over land and many others.
National Mirror