OPINION: WHEN GUN-THUGGERY BECOMES CONVIVIALITY – HOW IGBO-ORA LOST ITS INNOCENCE……..Adeola Seleem Olaniyan 

A prince of Iberekodo Kingdom and public commentator, Adeola Seleem Olaniyan, has traced the rise of gun-related thuggery and political violence in Igbo-Ora to a breakdown of traditional values and the celebration of hooliganism in democratic politics since 2004.

In a critical historical essay made available to Asako News, Olaniyan argues that every child is a product of nurture, and that Igbo-Ora’s current security challenge is a product of how political actors nurtured violence.

Recounting his childhood, Olaniyan said he was born into royal discipline where movements, manners and relations were tamed by Omoluabi virtues, but also witnessed the early days of non-partisan politics in 1989 under General Babangida.

He noted that even when roughness existed in old politics – like the Ifeloju Local Government election drama at Eruwa junction – it was limited to propaganda and petty tricks.

He recalled the famous Senior Junction in Igbo-Ora which in the late 80s and early 90s was a hub for local boxing champions like Abu Kasamu, Oloro Mosudi and Shakura, whose top weapons were broken bottles and fists, not guns. He said those hooligans never enjoyed political patronage and were socially condemned, with both Alhaji Abas and Chief Olanipekun frowning at them.

Olaniyan identified the 2004 Local Government election under Gbebonwolu as the dawn of gun-thuggery in Igbo-Ora. He recounted how gunshots at Akeroro disrupted voting and how his own grandfather, who had just undergone surgery, fell several times while fleeing and never recovered fully until his death 10 years later.

“The ballot box was stolen and the election was rigged successfully. That successfully rigged election brought them to power,” he wrote. He added that the worst was experienced in 2007 when stray bullets were fired in broad daylight in the town centre.

He alleged that the boys who operated guns were indigenes, some brought from diaspora, who never returned the weapons after operation because they enjoyed political immunity for bringing government to power.

“Then arose a battle of who would be the gun bearer. A little problem that used to be settled with exchange of punches now became exchange of bullets. The leader who used to be the most skilled boxer now became the best shooter.”

The writer lamented that instead of condemnation, gun bearers now receive honour, political favour, wealth and even chieftaincy titles like Ajagunmolu, Ajagungbade and Olori Odo.

“Why not? Honour and political favour not only became the shield but also the source of prospects. They become honourable even when their acts are horrible,” he said, adding that royal fathers now absorb them instead of reproaching them.

According to him:

” As if that was not enough, then came another political year in 2019 when their master was chosen as the flagbearer of the Progressive Party. This was on the conviction that he had done it repeatedly and gotten his way. The ends justify the means, says Niccolò Machiavelli. In fact, one of the leaders of the party was found saying that “mi o dibo pelu ifokanbale bayi ri.” He said this simply because he believed that either by crook or by hook, he would definitely deliver. The hooligans were shouting in ecstasy here and there that their turn had come again.

” Unfortunately, the bubble burst in the process of following their usual way. This was the day the Almighty late Governor Ajimobi came for his campaign. Having collected _owo omo onile_ repeatedly on that day, they were challenged by their counterparts from Ibadan. The buoyant Igboora hooligans, who had just acquired more new weapons, could not but respond aggressively to maintain their pride as second-to-none in the act. It is so sad for me that when this challenge resorted to a bullet exchange, it was in front of my family house again. And more sadly, my brother, who never attended the rally at all, was the victim who was shot inside his own house. _A kii gbele gba ofa lai rogun_ was what we used to hear. Aside from my brother, it was rumoured that many of their opponents lost their lives in the process or later but none of the active perpetrators from Igboora died in the process except my innocent brother and one other moron. Eventually, their uproar over this scenario led to a loss in the election for their political master.

“The election came and went. With new weapons acquired and a new window of opportunities, political favour emerged. Then arose a battle of who would be the gun bearer; “their battle proceeded.” This was fought side-by-side with the battle of who would take the lead as the _de facto_ leader of the boys. A little problem that used to be settled with an exchange of punches and blows now became an exchange of bullets. The leader who used to be placed on a pedestal of the most skilled boxer now became the best shooter.”

He described the current democracy as “government of the worst, by the worst and for the worst”, arguing that many at the helm today were the worst behaved in their secondary school days.

Linking it to recent events, Olaniyan said the insults hauled at the Alaafin of Oyo during the 2025 World Twins Festival was not unprecedented but a germination of a seed planted since 2004.

He criticized the transfer of the Twins Festival organization to the local government council and the invitation of hip-hop artists promoting immorality, warning that it attracts hooligans rather than governors and international researchers.

He alleged that as much as N500,000 was paid to settle boys before a recent festival, while well-behaved children got nothing.

“When trust is lost, then wait for the end; when authority is given to those not qualified, then wait for the end,” he quoted.

He warned that ahead of the 2026 edition slated for this October, if fundamental steps are not taken from the root, the situation will get worse.

“The solution is obvious and glaring,” he concluded.

_Asako News notes: This is an opinion piece and does not reflect the editorial position of Asako News._