OGUNMOLA'S ADMINISTRATION

The attention of the Ibadans was now turned to home affairs, vacancies among the chiefs had to be filled up, and new titles conferred. The first to be conferred was, of course, that of the head of the town as he it is who has to arrange for the others.

It was known that if the Balogun had returned home in good health, he would have negotiated for the title of Kakanfo, as he was the conqueror of the late Kakanfo, and being a native of Ogbomoso, was said to be related to a former Kakanfo of that place. But when his fatal illness supervened it is said that hopes were fixed on the venerable Sumala the Otun Bale for the title of Bale on their return home, but Sumala was caught and killed at the retreat from Iperu. Ogunmola now found himself the undisputed head of the town. He declined the title of Bale alleging it was an effeminate title, for Bales do not go to war, and so many brave men having perished at the war, Ibadan would lose her military prestige by his retiring so early from active life. But he might have negotiated for the title of Kakanfo now vacant. That is a military title par excellence, but his vaulting ambition aimed higher than that, he usurped the title of Basorun notwithstanding that Gbenla the first Basorun of the present Oyo was still alive, and there can be but one Basorun of the kingdom.