ABEOKUTA – The Pioneer Oba Ogboni Abalaiye, Tajudeen Ajala, has claimed that former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, died mysteriously after allegedly reneging on an oath he made before the Ogboni fraternity.
Ajala made the claim while speaking with The Encounter News on what he described as the influence of the Ogboni fraternity on politics, governance and the Nigerian society.
According to him, Agagu sought the support and protection of the Ogboni fraternity while aspiring to become governor and was allegedly warned to honour promises he made to the people if he eventually won the election.
Ajala claimed that the former governor subsequently took an oath that he would face the wrath of Ogun, the Yoruba deity associated with iron, if he failed to keep his promises to the people.
He alleged that Agagu’s subsequent death in a plane crash was connected to his failure to abide by the oath.
“While he was aspiring to be governor, he went to the Ogboni for help and protection. They assured him that he would win, with a warning that he must abide by the promises he made to the people, and he won.
“Not knowing that what he said, there was a spiritual power that stamped the covenant he made with the Ogboni that day. He swore that if he reneged on his pledge to the people, he should be struck with the wrath of Ogun”, he disclosed.
Ajala further alleged that the circumstances surrounding Agagu’s death demonstrated the consequences of violating the oath.
“That was why he died mysteriously. Even in death, his dead body was shattered into pieces in a plane crash,” he said.
Agagu died on September 13, 2013, but his remains were later involved in the October 3, 2013 Associated Airlines plane crash in Lagos while being transported to Akure for burial.
The official investigation into the crash attributed it to aviation-related factors, including the flight crew’s decision to continue take-off despite abnormal indications from the aircraft.
Ajala, however, maintained that the alleged Agagu episode illustrated what he considered the wider relevance of Ogboni’s traditional system of oaths and accountability to governance.
He argued that if politicians were subjected to such oaths before assuming public office, corruption, diversion of public funds and abandonment of campaign promises would be reduced.
“If we have included Ogboni in Nigerian politics, no politician would siphon public funds or divert projects because they will tell you the money that belongs to the masses,” he said.
Ajala said the fraternity’s influence extended beyond politics to the economy and other aspects of national life.
He maintained that Ogboni’s emphasis on truth; accountability and adherence to oaths could help address some of the problems confronting Nigeria.
“When we are now talking of politics, influence on politicians, influence on Nigerian economy, it’s because they ignore Ogboni. That is why the whole of Nigeria is having problem,” he said.
He added that members of the fraternity were expected to tell the truth and keep their commitments.
“Ogboni has influence on everything in life because they make oath, they say the truth. They tell you things as it is. They don’t deceive,” Ajala said.
