Popular car seller and socialite, Alhaji Mukaila Onabanjo (aka Mikky Mikky) is facing a barrage of controversy over his installation as Balogun of Ikorodu. Since last year, when Oba Shotobi installed him to bear that exalted title, series of oppositions have trailed the holder.
Many have been asking if indeed he is the authentic Balogun of Ikorodu or not. If the answer is yes, they are asking why he is not accepted by the vast majority of Ikorodu people and his entire family members.
Though he was openly crowned as Balogun of Ikorodu by Oba Shotobi, following a court judgement, which was presented to him in favour of Alhaji Mukaila, he had never enjoyed that title because of the various oppositions that emerged.
Last month, November 2017, during the Ikorodu Oga Week celebrations, the matter reared its ugly/head again as Magbo group singers composed a song, asking for the authentic Balogun to step out to be recognized. Mikky Mikky was present at the event and neither him nor anyone else came out as requested by the singers led by Bombata group. They asked that question many times and no one came responded. Hence, some reportedly asked Kabiyesi Shotobi why Mikky Mikky did not answer the “come out” request. The Kabiyesi was said to have told the person to ask Mikky Mikky himself.
Not satisfied with this stalemate, Oriwu Sun went to the Secretary of Ikorodu Division Drummers Association, Alhaji Kazim Ganiu-Sanni, to find out why these things were happening. Alhaji Kazim explained that the man was installed on Iworo Market Day, a day such a title ought not to have been installed. According to him, it is a taboo traditionally to install a Balogun on that day; hence, the installation was null and void. He regretted that those who ought to know this tradition forgot this.
According to him, the drummers have role to play in the installation of Balogun chieftaincy title and Iyalode title because there are some rituals to be done by the drummers. For example, in Baloguns case, the head of the drums (Gudugudu) is expected to stay in the Balogun’s house for fourteen (14) days.
Historically, the drummers, with the Wonparis (warriors), have role to perform in the installation of the Balogun but in the case of Alhaji Mukaila, nothing of such was done; hence, Ikorodu indigenes believe he does not merit being called Balogun as in the era of the Jayeisimis, Otambalas, Ilos. Alhaji Kazim said he can authoritatively say that the installation of an Iyalode starts from the house of the Balogun and involved the drummers. He said the Drummers Association is planning to visit Kabiyesi Shotobi on this issue.
Asked if there is any remedy for Alhaji Mukaila Balogun’s title, he said the man has to be re-installed and follow the right traditional process.