RedboneSmith:
People who think Ibadan would have driven the Fulani from Ilorin if the British hadn't stepped in forget that Ibadan had ample time to do so - and failed - before the British stepped in in the 1890s.

The reason Ibadan didn't/couldn't do it is largely strategic/military and geographic. Ilorin had a powerful cavalry and were unbeatable in the open plains (which is where Ilorin was located.) Ibadan on the other hand had no cavalry force -- whatever horses they had were mainly for civil transportation. Any engagements in the plains between the Ibadan infantry and the Ilorin cavalry was most likely to end in Ilorin's favour.

It was in the southern forest lands that Ibadan proved superior to the Ilorin forces, as the latter could not effectively use its cavalry in forested country. Hence the reason why Ibadan could halt Ilorin's expansion south, but could not present a challenge to Ilorin in the open plains to the north.

Don't blame the British for that. Blame geography and the failure of Ibadan to build a strong cavalry.

RedboneSmith:
I did not "adduce" Ilorin with "such glory". You people on this site are too emotional. What I said about Ilorin is what every student of history knows, i.e., Ilorin had the stronger cavalry and was the superior when it comes to fighting in the open plains; the Ibadan army was largely infantry and was superior when it comes to fighting in wooden country. Shikenan. I gave both states their due --- I wasn't "adducing" undue glory to either of them. Stop being unduly emotional.

MayorofLagos:


That is not accurate. Ibadan itself was a relocation into the forest, from an earlier geographical settlement in the open plains in higher latitude than Ilorin. Oyo Ile was geographically North of Ilorin, and they kept cavalry in Oyo Ile. There are no fulani fighting on the Yoruba side but there were Yoruba warriors on the Ilorin side. This is why we remind that it was not a jihadi that took Ilorin....rather it was act of rebellion by the Yorubas in outposts.

Fulani would not have had a chance were there no Yoruba warriors pushing the front south into the territories.

RedboneSmith:


We are not discussing Old Oyo here, which everyone knows had a cavalry. We are discussing the 19th century martial state of Ibadan and its chances against Ilorin, given mid-to-late 19th century realities.

MayorofLagos:



If we could fight off British sailors in boats and over waters in 1850, what stopped us from decimating Fulani horseriders galloping in open view across the plains....or into dangerous terrains of the forest where tree canopies can aid our concealment and assist ambush with the lethal fire power of guns?

RedboneSmith:


This is a question you should try to answer. Why? Why didn't they dislodge the Fulani from Ilorin? There were at least three attempts to do so that ended in failure. The Battle of Ogele, the Mugba Mugba War, the Kanla War. Why did those attempts fail? It isn't Bower's fault that they failed.


The Ibadan inflicted a heavy defeat on Ilorin at Osogbo in 1840. Why did they not pursue that victory by trying to carry the war to them in Ilorin? The same happened at the Jalumi War where they beat Ilorin forces. Again they didn't match on to Ilorin to engage them there. Why? It can't be the fault of the British.

I have tried to analyse why, and my opinion is: they knew the Ilorin cavalry was a formidable force at home on the open plains of Ilorin and they weren't prepared to engage them in pitched battle there. If you have an alternative theory present it. But don't tell me na Bower cause am. The Yoruba had over 60 years to deal with Ilorin before the British put an end to all Wars in Yorubaland. If the job couldn't be done in that time it wasn't because of the British.

MayorofLagos:


(1) Before Afonja uprising what role did Ilorin play in history of Yorubaland?

It was the cosmopolitan urban center of Yoruba Culture. The gateway into Yoruba. It was under the ruling authority of Alaafin. It was at a confluence of trade routes into Ashanti, Kordofan, Mali, Yauri, Kano, Nupe....

Naturally, Alaafin placed in there a tax collector.....but because it also housed spies and agents of enemy kingdoms it called for a military outpost as well. The Aare Ona Kakanfo used to domicile in Oyo. The ambitious expeditions of Aare was one too many and on the edge....reason he was relocated to Ilorin.

Now, who were the people in Ilorin? Fulani was amongst the people It was predominantly Yoruba but others lived there as well....citizens of Baruba, Yauri, Tapa, Mali, Hausa and so on but Fulani was there as well. They were Islamic clerics and did not nurse the either of war against Oyo. Afonja was the one who warred against Oyo, he had warriors but not enough number to overrun Oyo...this is where Alimi came in.


(2) The Ilorin warriors were led by Yorubas. They were trained the art of war strategies under the Eso but it just happened they were staged in Ilorin, and not in Oyo itself.

(3) Specific to your referenced period, Ibadan was fighting wars with many different nations simultaneously. The army was stretched and the strategy was defense of Ibadan, not occupation of another land. So what gains were there for them in securing Ilorin? At that point in time, none!

(4) in Jalumi war, which you left out, Ibadan succeeded in pushing Ilorin out completely and back to Ilorin. In hindsight they should have chased after them and complete their retreat out of Ilorin and to the other side of Niger, but that was not expedient at the time tue to their many campaigns against others.

(5) Let's be proud of Ibadan and give credit in recognition of their valour.
What stopped Ijesha, Ijebu, Egba, Offa and others from marching up to Ilorin to chase fulani out? Why does it have to be Ibadan fighting the enemy? Matter of fact while Ibadan was battling Ilorin, other Yoruba nations were battling Ibadan.

The loss of Ilorin is a shame on Yoruba generally, not just Ibadan.

(6) Ilorin never again dared Ibadan or any Yoruba town after Jalumi. In the aftermath and after Afonja had been killed, they created a political class to rule over them and the title was Oba of Ilorin.

(7) The rule by proxy introduced by British did not respect history or ethnic, they pretty much were interested in heirarchy order and how to class that heirarchy for effective control and indirect rule of the grassroot. The heirarchy in Ilorin wore a turban, not a crown as Yoruba Obas do and so Ilorin was classed into turban wearing heirarchies.

Similar thing happened in Epe. They needed to classify the ruler of the town and this led into dispute with Akarigbe of Remo. The British called Ooni to give judgement.

If Yoruba had raised objection about the turban wearing Oba of Ilorin being grouoed with other turban wearing kings Ilorin title might have remained Oba. No one objected.

The Northern Emirate changed the title from Oba to Emir.

Ilorin, as at 1966, was the capital of North Western State. The Yorubas still had a chance to recover it and bring it back politically into a full Western State. The different political ambitions and complete raype of the country by successive military administration chipped away at references of Ilorin to West or Yoruba.

( Over the years attempts have been made to reverse the loss of Ilorin. The problem of regaining it lie within Yoruba itself.

Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal, former Governor of Kwara State was an opponent of the Emir of Ilorin. Yoruba knew this yet made no political moves to support and sustain the efforts of the Governor.

In Moro Local Govt of Kwara State, where the town of Jebba is, there is an Oba. The Northerners do not want any Oba in Kwara and particularly that Adebara claims that as the longest reigning dynasty in Kwara, he is independent and should not be chaired by the Emir. Emir of Ilorin however wants to subdue the Oba crown under his domain and ultimately erase it. Jebba is North of Ilorin. Oba Adebara has been fighting this battle alone. What is Yoruba doing in support of Oba Adebara against to Sulu Gambari and the North?

Few years ago OPC invaded Ilorin with the single action to raid the palace, depose the King and install an Oba. Along the route heading to Kwara their movement in such large number and convoy was suspected and the Police command in Ilorin was notified. When they got to border to Kwara they met tanks and battle ready army and police, they were denied entry into Kwara. No confrontation, they turned back.

Early this year we got news that the Jebba bridge had collapsed. The link between North and South on the Western flank is that bridge crossing. All the traffic that passes through that bridge is a boost to economy of Jebba. The town is a resting spot for travellers. Without the bridge the economy will collapse. Travellers have been forced to reroute away from Jebba since the bridge went down. Did the bridge collapse, or was that an act of sabotage by pro Emir elements to destroy the economy of Jebba and shame the Oba?

Now, we cannot count on Senate President Saraki, being a Senator from Kwara to see the economic impact to the different layers of production in the Supply and Distribution chain that use this bridge or the suffering their absence would bring on the community, because Olusola Saraki was one of those that plotted the downfall and ultimately the death of Governor Lawal. In fact Bukola Saraki was Governor and it is still believed in Ilorin till today that he and his fatjer had a hand in Governor Lawal's death. Saraki is an avid pro Emir, they are trying to destroy Jebba and erase its Yoruba link.

The VP is Yoruba, Minister of Works is Yoruba....what actions are they taking to see to it that a new bridge is constructed and the economic lifeline of Jebba returns? That would be a victory for Oba Adedara to lift up his head and remain poised against Emir and his agents of hate.

This Ilorin issue is a collective Yoruba challenge, not just Ibadan. Ibadan has done its part.

MayorofLagos:


Discuss it in full dimension if you must do so. Yoruba were already using guns to wage war in the years you mentioned. Yorubas were in the middle of Kiriji war when colonialists got hinterland of Yorubaland. One of the principal warriors was Ogedengbe and many of his pictures showed him with a musket.

When British Navy attacked Lagos they were badly defeated twice. Yorubas used muskets and canons to defend Lagos and it was only on third attempt the foreign navy succeeded in victory, and that battle was hard-won, took over 24hrs.

Yoruba had posessed guns through trade with Portuguese and Dutch. Iyalode of Egbaland was one of the frontline arms trader.

If according to your storyline Britain was involved in mediating a war in the hinterland of Yorubaland, then it had to be after 1865....the bombardment of Lagos i described above occurred in 1850.

If we could fight off British sailors in boats and over waters in 1850, what stopped us from decimating Fulani horseriders galloping in open view across the plains....or into dangerous terrains of the forest where tree canopies can aid our concealment and assist ambush with the lethal fire power of guns?

Please reconstruct your story. I repeat, Fulani has no power of victory over Yorubaland, they owe gratitude to Afonja and his armies for their Emirate in Ilorin.

MayorofLagos:


(1) Before Afonja uprising what role did Ilorin play in history of Yorubaland?

It was the cosmopolitan urban center of Yoruba Culture. The gateway into Yoruba. It was under the ruling authority of Alaafin. It was at a confluence of trade routes into Ashanti, Kordofan, Mali, Yauri, Kano, Nupe....

Naturally, Alaafin placed in there a tax collector.....but because it also housed spies and agents of enemy kingdoms it called for a military outpost as well. The Aare Ona Kakanfo used to domicile in Oyo. The ambitious expeditions of Aare was one too many and on the edge....reason he was relocated to Ilorin.

Now, who were the people in Ilorin? Fulani was amongst the people It was predominantly Yoruba but others lived there as well....citizens of Baruba, Yauri, Tapa, Mali, Hausa and so on but Fulani was there as well. They were Islamic clerics and did not nurse the either of war against Oyo. Afonja was the one who warred against Oyo, he had warriors but not enough number to overrun Oyo...this is where Alimi came in.


(2) The Ilorin warriors were led by Yorubas. They were trained the art of war strategies under the Eso but it just happened they were staged in Ilorin, and not in Oyo itself.

(3) Specific to your referenced period, Ibadan was fighting wars with many different nations simultaneously. The army was stretched and the strategy was defense of Ibadan, not occupation of another land. So what gains were there for them in securing Ilorin? At that point in time, none!

(4) in Jalumi war, which you left out, Ibadan succeeded in pushing Ilorin out completely and back to Ilorin. In hindsight they should have chased after them and complete their retreat out of Ilorin and to the other side of Niger, but that was not expedient at the time tue to their many campaigns against others.

(5) Let's be proud of Ibadan and give credit in recognition of their valour.
What stopped Ijesha, Ijebu, Egba, Offa and others from marching up to Ilorin to chase fulani out? Why does it have to be Ibadan fighting the enemy? Matter of fact while Ibadan was battling Ilorin, other Yoruba nations were battling Ibadan.

The loss of Ilorin is a shame on Yoruba generally, not just Ibadan.

(6) Ilorin never again dared Ibadan or any Yoruba town after Jalumi. In the aftermath and after Afonja had been killed, they created a political class to rule over them and the title was Oba of Ilorin.

(7) The rule by proxy introduced by British did not respect history or ethnic, they pretty much were interested in heirarchy order and how to class that heirarchy for effective control and indirect rule of the grassroot. The heirarchy in Ilorin wore a turban, not a crown as Yoruba Obas do and so Ilorin was classed into turban wearing heirarchies.

Similar thing happened in Epe. They needed to classify the ruler of the town and this led into dispute with Akarigbe of Remo. The British called Ooni to give judgement.

If Yoruba had raised objection about the turban wearing Oba of Ilorin being grouoed with other turban wearing kings Ilorin title might have remained Oba. No one objected.

The Northern Emirate changed the title from Oba to Emir.

Ilorin, as at 1966, was the capital of North Western State. The Yorubas still had a chance to recover it and bring it back politically into a full Western State. The different political ambitions and complete raype of the country by successive military administration chipped away at references of Ilorin to West or Yoruba.

( Over the years attempts have been made to reverse the loss of Ilorin. The problem of regaining it lie within Yoruba itself.

Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal, former Governor of Kwara State was an opponent of the Emir of Ilorin. Yoruba knew this yet made no political moves to support and sustain the efforts of the Governor.

In Moro Local Govt of Kwara State, where the town of Jebba is, there is an Oba. The Northerners do not want any Oba in Kwara and particularly that Adebara claims that as the longest reigning dynasty in Kwara, he is independent and should not be chaired by the Emir. Emir of Ilorin however wants to subdue the Oba crown under his domain and ultimately erase it. Jebba is North of Ilorin. Oba Adebara has been fighting this battle alone. What is Yoruba doing in support of Oba Adebara against to Sulu Gambari and the North?

Few years ago OPC invaded Ilorin with the single action to raid the palace, depose the King and install an Oba. Along the route heading to Kwara their movement in such large number and convoy was suspected and the Police command in Ilorin was notified. When they got to border to Kwara they met tanks and battle ready army and police, they were denied entry into Kwara. No confrontation, they turned back.

Early this year we got news that the Jebba bridge had collapsed. The link between North and South on the Western flank is that bridge crossing. All the traffic that passes through that bridge is a boost to economy of Jebba. The town is a resting spot for travellers. Without the bridge the economy will collapse. Travellers have been forced to reroute away from Jebba since the bridge went down. Did the bridge collapse, or was that an act of sabotage by pro Emir elements to destroy the economy of Jebba and shame the Oba?

Now, we cannot count on Senate President Saraki, being a Senator from Kwara to see the economic impact to the different layers of production in the Supply and Distribution chain that use this bridge or the suffering their absence would bring on the community, because Olusola Saraki was one of those that plotted the downfall and ultimately the death of Governor Lawal. In fact Bukola Saraki was Governor and it is still believed in Ilorin till today that he and his fatjer had a hand in Governor Lawal's death. Saraki is an avid pro Emir, they are trying to destroy Jebba and erase its Yoruba link.

The VP is Yoruba, Minister of Works is Yoruba....what actions are they taking to see to it that a new bridge is constructed and the economic lifeline of Jebba returns? That would be a victory for Oba Adedara to lift up his head and remain poised against Emir and his agents of hate.

This Ilorin issue is a collective Yoruba challenge, not just Ibadan. Ibadan has done its part.

lx3as:


What has kept Emirate in Ilorin is Islam rather than Fulani tribe. The Emirate was sacked many times by internal Yoruba groups within Ilorin but thanks to the British and Islamic religion that have secured it till this day.

nisai:
Somebody wrote this on facebook, so I thought it's best to share it here. Enjoy:

By Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo

Excerpts from "The History of The Yoruba", written by a prince of Oyo, who was taken into slavery, was later rescued, made to settle in Sierra Leone, became both educated and a Reverend Gentleman.
Samuel Johnson, Author, Missionary and an Eyewitness to last of the Yoruba/Fulani wars, wrote his book in 1889, however it took a while before the book was eventually published in London in the year 1921.

Something about this excerpt I am about to share has always been a regret of deep proportions, And I shall develop this at the end of this post.
First we Read from The Great Book:

"It took the Ibadan rank and file some time to realize the fact that intertribal wars are for ever at an end in this country.

It was customary with them, after the conferring of new titles that they should go to a war, for each chief and especially for the Balogun to recommend himself thereby to the people as fit for the title he holds.

The Ilorins remained the only power they had not come to any definite terms with, so we were not surprised to hear on all hands, " Nje Bower koni si ogun Ilorin yi fun wa " ("Will not Capt. Bower then open for us an Ilorin campaign? "

To be at home with nothing definite to do was rather irksome to those whose trade was war.

Happily most of the important chiefs had huge farms wherein were engaged many of their domestics, and the majority of the men also were farmers, but a good many were warriors pure and simple. No wonder then that for some time burglaries, arson, etc., were rife in the community."

~ The history of the Yorubas : from the earliest times to the beginning of the British Protectorate by Johnson, Samuel ; Johnson, Obadiah
Published 1921
———————————————————————————

This has been my regrets;
That The Ibadan warriors were not allowed to decimate the Hausa-Fulani Ilorin forces and reclaim the land.
The lands from Ilorin to Ile Oke Oja, that became Lokoja, have always been Yoruba lands...
Oyo-Ile itself was a mere 20kms from Odo Oya, that is the Niger River.
Ilorin, was the blight, the only land in that axis with a sitting emir..from kwara to Kogi there are no less than 60 Yoruba Obas!
The interruption of the British in arguably the last fight to rid the Fulani off Yoruba lands, would have been complete after the Ikirun war in which Ibadan's Balogun Oderinlo completely vanquished the Fulani and drove them as far back as the gates of Ilorin itself, cutting off the heads of Nasamu and Gata-Ikoko the Fulani leaders

If only captain Bower and the meddling British had not stopped the Ibadan, this matter would have long been settled.....!

O dun mi gann.......!

Olu317:
Ilorin was silenced for for more than 30 years after the war that sunk their aspiration in 1840 . Ilorin that could not conquer their neighbors is the city that you adduce with such glory? You people are funny.. Ilorin that was sending gift and their daughters as tributaries? Yoruba of deep forested area didn't see Ilorin as foreigners but rebellion people who disobeyed their kinsmen because it was a fight between ISLAM and ELA WORSHIP. And am sure you know that Olu Ilorin(momoh) was killed because Yorubas were the ones controlling the city ,I mean Balogun Alanamu and others. Yoruba knowledge on the potency of herbs/flower usage was astonishing and still till today...The war would have been won if there was an attempt to do so because it would have been unified onslaught against Ilorin by all Yoruba groups.

kayfra:
Ilorin. The perpetual stain on Yoruba history.

Their indigenes too aren't helping with their dogmatic Islamic identity