Like National, Like Home Branch: Political Contractors Masquerading as ODU Leadership
Disrespecting Olofa’s Stool — A Great Sin Against Offa Kingdom: A Call for Apology and Voluntary Resignation of ODU Home Branch Chairman
In the proud chronicles of Offa’s history, the Olofa’s stool stands as a sacred symbol of unity, authority, and continuity — a divine institution that embodies the collective spirit and dignity of the Offa Kingdom. The Olofa is not merely a king but the living custodian of Offa’s heritage, the rallying point for her people, and the moral compass of the land.
By established tradition, the Olofa-in-Council, made up of revered high chiefs and advisers, serves as the sacred governing body guiding the affairs of the kingdom. All other organizations — social, cultural, or developmental — derive their legitimacy and purpose only in alignment with this sacred order. Among such bodies is the Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU), a voluntary union of Offa indigenes devoted to complementing the vision and efforts of the Olofa-in-Council in fostering peace, unity, and development across the kingdom.
Over the years, ODU has produced distinguished leaders — men of character, humility, and patriotism — who upheld the sanctity of the throne and advanced Offa’s interest with honor.
Sadly, today’s ODU leadership, both nationally and locally, has derailed from this noble path. The once proud union has been hijacked by political jobbers and self-serving contractors masquerading as community leaders. Instead of serving Offa’s collective interest, they now dance to the tune of partisan masters, turning a historically nonpartisan body into a political appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Most disappointing among this emerging band is Mr. Lanre Shittu, the current Chairman of ODU Home Branch — a man whose conduct has become a stain on the honor of Offa land. It is disheartening that an educationist, a man expected to be guided by wisdom and values, could reduce himself to an errand boy for failed political actors, aligning with those who persistently undermine the authority of the Olofa-in-Council abd put offa in bad light, one will recall how Mr. Lanre shittu inglorious took up a political dirty Job of dragging opposition leader to court over unfortunate incident of Offa robbery with state Governor lawyer representing him on the matter.
Under Mr. Shittu’s watch, the Home Branch has lost direction. Rather than serving as a rallying point for community service and constructive engagement, it has become a platform of division and political manipulation. He has deliberately allowed himself to be used to frustrate noble community efforts and to lend credibility to those bent on reducing the sacred Olofa’s stool to a subject of partisan mockery.
As a chief Otun Akoni of Offa and a sitting member of the Olofa-in-Council, it is both shocking and shameful that Mr. Shittu still sits among the revered custodians of our tradition while simultaneously identifying with those who openly desecrate the throne. This contradiction is unbecoming of a chief and betrays every oath of loyalty to the Olofa and the spirit of Offa’s ancestors.
We therefore call on Mr. Lanre Shittu to voluntarily relinquish his chieftaincy title and resign honorably as ODU Home Branch Chairman, having failed in his moral and cultural duty to uphold the sanctity of the Olofa stool. His complicity with the failed national leadership of ODU — led by those who have turned the once-revered union into a political wing of government — is evident in the series of shameful acts committed against Offa land.
A most recent and painful example is the infamous communiqué issued by the ODU leadership distancing itself from the Royal Offa Development Retreat — a visionary initiative convened by His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II (Ajagungbade I Esuwoye II). The retreat brought together some of Offa’s finest sons and daughters, including Dr. Awal Ibrahim Brimoh, Chief Ayotunde Raji, Alh. Tajudeen Owoyemi, Alh. Jide Oyewumi, Chief Waheed Olagunju, and Senator Oyelola Ashiru — all united by the Olofa’s call to chart a new developmental path for the kingdom.
For any ODU leader to discredit or distance the Union from such a noble, royal-led effort is not an act of independence but one of defiance, arrogance, and sacrilege. It is a grave insult to the Olofa stool, a direct affront to the Olofa-in-Council, and a betrayal of the very essence of Offa unity.
The same ODU leadership, both national and home, has continuously aligned itself with anti-people policies — defending actions such as the demolition of traders’ shops without compensation and the scaling down of developmental commitments made to the people. They have become the mouthpiece of oppression rather than the voice of the people.
To compound this shame, these individuals who attack Offa’s genuine patriots and royal initiatives have no personal investments or developmental contributions to the land they claim to serve. They neither create opportunities nor support those who do — yet they arrogantly parade themselves as community leaders.
Offa cannot and will not continue to watch silently while a few misguided individuals desecrate her sacred institutions. The Olofa’s stool is not an instrument of politics. It is the very soul of the kingdom — the symbol of her unity and the foundation of her identity.
For the peace and dignity of Offa, Mr. Lanre Shittu must tender a public apology to His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, and to the people of Offa, and resign immediately from his position as ODU Home Branch Chairman.
Offa is greater than any individual, clique, or political party. Those who choose to insult the throne insult the entire kingdom. To continue on this path is to invite the wrath of history and the ancestors who guard Offa’s honor.
This statement is not born out of bitterness but out of duty — a sacred duty to defend the sanctity of the Olofa stool and restore the dignity of our community.
Long live the Olofa of Offa.
Long live Offa Kingdom.
— Signed,
ÌGBÌMỌ̀N ÒMÓLÚÀBÍ Ọ̀FFÀ
Amhed Afolabi Rildwan, Coordinator
