THE ABSOLUTE POWER (By Abiola OlaOluwa)

The Drama 'THE ABSOLUTE POWER' was first staged in December 15th 2005 by Golden Stars Drama Club at Tai Solarin College of Education Lecture Theatre, Ijebu Ode Ogun State.

CAST:

Narrator                      -           Olaogun abiola

King                            -           Julius jayeoba

Otun                            -           Hammed bakare

Osi                               -           Ayanleye oluwaseun

Balogun                       -           Oduyoye sesan

Iyalode                        -                       Ogunleye temidayo

Olori                            -           Kemi osofuye

Ayinla              -                       Dauda hassan

Peju                             -           Fagbule olaide

Aina                             -           Alimot jaiyeola

Adesola                       -           Omole kolawole

Odejimi                       -           Festus ajao

Bimpe                          -           Bisola asinwo

Bimpe's mother           -           Temilola

Bimpe's father -                       Gbenga oladeji

Ogunremi                    -           Olaogun abiola

Ogunremi follower  -               Segun quadri (olobe)

Akilapa                        -           Okusajo opeyemi

Bioku               -                       Tayo orobo

Royal bard                  -           Oduniyi tayo

           

The Drama 'THE ABSOLUTE POWER' was officially staged in December 17th 2015 by 2014/2015 Session of DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ARTS SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. Michael otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija Epe Lagos Nigeria

CAST

CAST:

Narrator                      -           Damilare Adebanjo

King                            -           Michael Okunlola

Otun                            -           Michael Adekunle

Osi                               -           Saidat Adepoju

Balogun                       -           Rabiat Olansebi

Iyalode                        -                       Feyisara Okunsanya

Olori                            -           Temitope Role

Ayinla              -                       Nojimu Isiaka

Peju                             -           Justina Cletus

Aina                             -           Wakilat Onabanjo

Adesola                       -           Bukola Olubodun

Odejimi                       -           Damilare Adebanjo

Bimpe                          -           Rashidat Adebanwo

Bimpe's mother           -           Fatimo Adeoti

Bimpe's father -                       Sunday Olubote

Ogunremi                    -           Mufutau Olatunji

Ogunremi follower     -            Fatimo Ogunbamowo

ii                      -           Friday Ebohan

\ii                     -           Cletus Justina

ii                      -           John Demehin

ii                      -           Friday Olusegun

ii                      -           Michael Fakoya

Akilapa                        -           Daniel Funso

Bioku               -                       Oluwatosin Adewuyi

Royal bard                  -           Oduniyi tayo

CROWD-CAST

SET                                                                 DRUMMERS

Sunday Olubote (Head)                                               Olorunjeda Oseni

Michael Okunola                                             Michael Adekunle

Isiaka Nojimu                                                  Sunday Olubote

Mufutau Olatunji

PROPS                                                            BUSINESS MANAGER

Sunday Olubote                                                           Fatimo Adeoti

Micheal Okunlola

                                                                        ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

                                                                        Michael Okunlola

PUBLICITY

Damilare Adebanjo (Head)                             STAGE MANAGER

Sunday Olubote                                                           Rashidat Adebanwo

Micheal Okunola

                                                                        DIRECTOR

CUSTUME/MAKEUP                                                Damilare Adebanjo

Raheem Zainab (Head)

Mosunmola Adesanya                                     LECTURER IN CHARGE

Feyisara Okunsaya                                          Jamal Caleb Apena

CHOREOGRAPHER

Mosunmola Adesanya

MUSIC TEAM

Feyisara Okunsanya (Head)

Temitope Role

DOCUMENTATION

Oloyede Odunela

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Oba Adeyinka -                                   The King of Ikolu

Otun

Osi                                                       Chiefs

Iyalode

Balogun

Adesola                                               Youth Leader

Kola

Yomi                                                    Youth of Ikolu Village

Omolara

Odejimi

Adebimpe                    -                       Odejimi’s Fiancee

Ayinla                          -                       A widower

Peju & Aina                -                       Ayinla’s Daughters

Alani                            -                       A drunkard

Awero                          -                       Palmwine seller

Ogunremi &Follwers-                      Great warrior who empower Oba Adeyinka

Ifagbemi                      -                       Ifa priest

Baba Bimpe                                        Adebimpe parents

Mama Bimpe                                                  

SIMPLE CRY

In the dark of the Sun

Laid a simple complex period

As if from the black mound

Of a kind of an Ant, we come from

No pay for our pains

As no song in sunny sun

But no pain for their pay

As if from a white rocky snow

Of a kind of a Beast, they came from

Mother laments for years

Though the weeks, weaken our bones

But ‘pagidari’, they said

Oh! ‘Igi tida’

And when Trees fell, Birds flew off

Like storm to dried Leaves

They left the particles of leaves behind

Which still become our simple cry.

Abiola Olaogun

(2006)

PROLOGUE

Adeyinka lives in Ajapa Town a more prosperous neighboring village. He is very successful and well educated. As a result of this, the kingmakers deem him fit to be the next king, although he’s not Heir to the Throne. Some of the chiefs accepted to make him king because of his Wealth.

Now, mal-administration, mal-adjustment, violence, and injustice are the code of conduct of Ikolu Village. In fact, King Adeyinka’s attitude on the throne is most reprehensible. The chiefs are all in consternation… Having realized their mistakes, they conspire with the great warrior of the village (OGUNREMI) to murder the king and they promise him great reward for his action…

ACT 1 SCENE 1

                                                            IN THE PALACE

In the King’s palace, in the middle of the King’s Palace is a seat well dressed. The scene opens with Ominous of sound. Dirge at the background of the scene. The royal bard is eulogizing the deceased king; the Chiefs are all on ground looking downcast except for Otun who later comes in.

OTUN:           Eku iwaju o, I salute everybody o (he bows in respect for coming late)

OSI:                Why are you coming by this time? You kept us here for so long!

OTUN:           Bi koba ni di, obinrin kii je kumolu. I had to go to Alapinni’s house to get some information. Sugbon bi ise o ba p’eni, enikan kii pe’ se, let’s get into the business of the day.(clearing his throat) I greet everybody. As we all know that, our meeting today is based on how another king will be crowned in replacement of our late king Adebosipo. Ha! Ina ku ofi eru boju, Ogede ku, ofi omore ropo, Adebosipo died without a heir.

OSI:                Otun, I commend your effort, but I thought you had called at Ifagbemi’s house to inform him that his attention is needed in the palace. tori won ni agba kii wa loja, k’ ori omo tuntun wo. Let’s send one of the guards to call Fagbemi and get him informed that we are waiting for him.

BALOGUN: Osi, what exactly is Fagbemi coming to do here?

OSI:                Balogun, osi nse oro bi ewe, you are talking like a kid. Do you want to tell me that you don’t know the duty of Ifagbemi in this town. Well, if you don’t know, Fagbemi is coming down here to consult the Ifa Oracle for us, tori ki sobia to d’ egbo oniganbe laa ke si. Let us follow tradition in the appointing a new King.

IYALODE: (Cuts in) Osi! You are right, consulting the Oracle will enable us to                                                   protect our culture and also dance to the tune of our forefathers.

OTUN:           I think we need to be civilized. Enough of this Ifa of a thing. The world has gone beyond this antiquated life-style. We can see things for ourselves. Let’s wising up and do away with outdated life that is no   longer        valuable.

IYALODE: Otun, if you insist that we should not call  Ifagbemi, then let’s consider  the next royal family, but I still suggest we consult the Ifa Oracle for us              not to mislead this generation, because…

BALOGUN: (Interrupts) Iyalode!  Ma la a gun jina. We all know that the lineage of                                          Olaoye is the next royal family that should be entitled to the crown                                                   but there is no Adult male in the family except females. Impossibility                                               can never be possible; a woman can never be our king. So                                                                      what is the point about the oracle? What else does he have to tell us                                                  that we don’t already know? We better be wise 

IYALODE: (Annoyed) What nonsense are you saying? I know you are saying this

  because of your selfish interest and… (She wants to further reprimand

 him, but she considers it not necessary ) Even if Adeoye is young, he is our next king and besides, is he a baby? Is a lad of almost 20 years of age a small boy?  Haba! Balogun you talk like a kid and I am highly disappointed

.

OTUN:           Iyalode, howu, this matter is not what should bring about   quarrel among us, but let’s get it over once and for all. Iyalode is     right by her remark on Olaoye who is almost 20years old but the head of elephant is not a load for a small boy, the task of kingship is not that easy. The boy Adeoye still need to learn so many things before he can boldly call himself a man, then he can boast of ruling. And while he is still on the verge of learning, let us search for an exposed person who has a good orientation about Agriculture from Ajapa (the prosperous Town) This will earn us much respect among other villages around us.

                       

OSI:                E mase je ki a gba oro yii bi Eni n gba igba oti . Don’t let us drag this issue

 more than necessary. Let’s go straight to the conclusion, should we still

 consult Ifa oracle or we …

BALOGUN: (Snaps) Which Oracle are you laying emphasis on? Otun said the world

has gone beyond that, then we should look for an experience  person to be our king, so as to be among equals

IYALODE: Otun! Balogun! oro yi yoo leyin o, and we shall all face the consequences of this unwise decision of negligence.

OTUN:           Iyalode!  Point of correction, nobody is neglecting anything here. We are               only trying to set things right and to dance to the beat of this                                       dispensation. Enough of all these, we are going to choose a king of our                         choice. No gods will choose for us again. We have searched round and it

 has occurred to us that Adeyinka the son of Ojurongbe,  who works and

 live     in Ajapa is our next king.

OSI:                (Amaze) And whose son is Adeyinka in this Village? Or is he not the same son of Ojurongbe whose name is Olayinka, now Otun claimed him to be Adeyinka? Ojurongbe who used to be a farmer in his days and now his son will now emerge as a King when the Oracle has not instructed us to do so. Besides, Adeyinka is not living among our people; he has gone abroad for years. He studied in Ajapa, Married Ajapa woman, and works in Ajapa. Now, tell me how he will solve the problems of our people. Otun!  Balogun! Can you tell me, what good has this man done to Ikolu Village or our Children? I don’t think it’s a wise idea for us to deceive ourselves. 

BALOGUN: Osi, without much arguments, you are right by saying that

   Adeyinka's father was just a farmer, and Adeyinka doesn’t live in

   Ikolu village, yet that doesn’t call for his mal-administration when he

   turns out to be our king. He only needs Information to

   solve the Problem of the masses. Osi! (He emphasises) kola kuro leko, eko   o kola, ewe lo kola fun eko. Adeyinka is the right man, rich and

   Successful. huu!(he casts his eyes to the thatch to attract attentions) That

   Man might have had a lot of experience truly. Otun, Monkey jumps

  down, it jumps into running.

OSI:                Stop embellishing what is not worthy of noticing. The muslim-clergy that

 Prophesied famine, his children will not eat Mohammedan charm. But,

 if that is what you want, I am not party to it, except Fagbemi is      being

 Consulted. (He stands and exits).

OTUN:           Osi! Osi! (He face Balogun)Osi walk out on us!

BALOGUN:  (Claps theatrically) arifin ile igbe, total disrespect.

IYALODE:    Why don’t you live him alone? abi, one who warns before he defeats

 one, is a great wrestler. is he not saying the truth. If Fagbemi          is not

 invited to this palace, you have not done well.

(She stands and leaves)

OTUN:           Iyalode! Iyalode! (he calls)

BALOGUN:  (Interupts Otun) Leave her, Otun, afterall they were right. let’s go and

   inform the King makers and the Council of the Elders.(They both

   agree and exit)

Curtain close.

           

ACT 1 SCENE II

                                                            AFTER 3 MONTH

The stage opens revealing the Palace reception well decorated, the chiefs are all in their best outfit. By the right corner of the reception stands a royal bard eulogizing, the ganganist are responding to the rhythm of the band singers and the dancers are not an exception. The villagers are all waiting for the new king. The King Emerges and all the villagers greet.

VILLAGERS:    Kaaabiesi oooooooo

ROYAL BARD:  Kabiesi o, Omo nile laboye temi, omo afi ija sinu pete erin, Omo                                                           afi ebi sinu ko onje...

KING:            (Walking majestically to the throne, all prostrate and greet kabieisi o). E             gbe ra n le ke dide. Rise up. I greet every one of you, the great warrior of IKOLU land, the ever courageous people, I greet you for all the achievement of today, may you all live long and evil shall not befall you, the gods of my forefathers shall be with you and so shall it be

                       

.

CHIEFS &Villagers: Aseee e

KING:            (Cheerfully) bi ise oba peni enikan kin pese, let’s make hay when the sun shine (He moves forward and everybody prostrates)

           

VILLAGERS: Kabiesi o, k’ ade pe l’ ori, ki bat’ape l’esse…

KING:            I greet you all my people, my time shall not be of nervous tension to any

 one of you. In the days of my forefathers everything went smoothly for

 their people. Everything shall go smoothly for you. The pregnant

 women shall deliver safely and those that are looking

 for the fruit of the womb shall rejoice at last. This time you shall reap in

 joy. And the gods of Ikolu land shall be with you. I will build more

 Schools for our Children; I will also pave ways for investors

 from Ajapa, Ikoto, Ebodo and some other interested villages around us.

 Our Village shall remain the best producing of Farm products within and Further.

VILLAGERS:  (all echoes) Kabiesi o

OTUN:           (Demonstrates) Eyin ilu Ikolu, E maa ba et obo

IYALODE:    (Hailing the king) kabiesi o, long life to the king and may your authority

Outlive us in this village. I have prepared the youth to perform some skills before you, in order to make the coronation a joyous one.

                       

KING:            (Holding his scepter) O kare, Ogun a gbe o, The God of iron will favor you.

(While the acrobatic dancing is going on, the king notices a girl among             the dancers and he informs Otun)

 Whose daughter is that fair girl among the Dancer?

OTUN:           She is the daughter of Agbede Ogun who stays at Isale Odo

KING:            Get her for me (He commands)

OTUN:           Kabiesi o, Oba ba le ori Ohun gbogbo.

                                   

                        Chorus: Eni ba mo iyi Ade  - -- He who knows the crown

                                A teri ba fun Ori ade     - -------Should bow down for royal head

                                Eni ba mo iyi ileke         -------                - He who knows the royal beads

                                A teriba fun Ileke Oye   ------will dove hat for royal beads

                                Mo ki Ori ade    ------------- -I recognize the royal head

Mo judi fun Ade Oba-------     -I dance for the Crown

                                Tani  Ori ade yi-------------                   Who is the Crown

                                Adeyinka loye loye ----------- Adeyinka fit in the crown

Wa agbo po,wa a to --------------       May you live long

(Response)  Eeeeh ha e

Oya ki ade pe lori

(Response)Eeeeh ha e

Kileke pelorun

(Response)Eeeeh ha e

Irukere Pe lowo

(Response)Eeeeh ha e

Ase pe lenu

(Response)Eeeeh ha e

(While the dance is going on Otun approaches one of the dancers, Adebimpe, He

calls her aside to pass the King’s message to her)

OTUN:                       Adebimpe ku orire o. I congratulate you

ADEBIMPE:             Baba, Congratulation for what? Abi congratulations for the coronation of our new King.

OTUN:                       Omode nse o. The king will like to see you for a talk immediately     after this ceremony

ADEBIMPE:                         (Surprised) the king will like to see me? For what?

OTUN:                       That, I can’t tell o, Wo! Oju awo ni awo fi n gba obe, when you get                                   there you will know. I have spoken. (He turns to leave)

     

ACT 1 SCENE III

                                                OGUNREMI’S HOUSE

The stage opens revealing Ogunremi compound. In the front of the Mound house, the followers are all standing in different poses, each with a long gun. They all dress like warriors discussing while waiting for their master Ogunremi.

1st Follower:  (Asks) Ehe- n, did you people attend the king’s coronation of last

 week?

2nd Follwer:               What is so special about the coronation?  Is it not the same

 Olayinka the son of Ojurongbe the Farmer, who lives in Ajapa?.

 So, that same man now turned out to be Adeyinka. Can somebody

 who is ignorant of the affairs of his people make a good impact

 in solving the problems at hand? I think we really need somebody

 who really understands his people, to rule us. Besides I learnt that

 he has not been chosen by Ifa.

3rd Follower:  (he buttresses) and come to think of it, Lakunle is right o, abi, how

 do we explain a King who was not chosen by Ifa Oracle, who is

 not even an heir, and who doesn’t stay among his people to now become the ruler of his people. How will he truly solve our problems?

2nd Follower:             It is so amazing; things are turning to something else in this village

 of ours.

1st Follower:              Well let us not be judgmental, Let’s wait and see what his kingship

 will have to offer us.

3rd Follower:             (Nodding in agreement) hmm! Ajadi is very right. So Ajadi too has

 brain.

2nd Follower:             Yes he does, (laughs)He uses it once in a while (he teases Ajadi).

( Ogunremi walks in)

All:                              (Prostrates and hail in unison) Baaba o!!!

OGUNREMI:            Egbera so! Now we have a lot to worry about in this our village                                                       and its environment. So you should prepare for the worst at any given                                            time. sebi ninu igbako ni mariwo tin se’ eso. You may be                                                         wondering what my saying is all about.

ALL:                          Yes master

1st Follower:              (he bends down on his knees) this is because we are always at alert, even before now, but we don’t seem to understand your parable this time.

OGUNREMI:            (Nods) You have spoken well, but I want you to know that a dog will not bark without seeing anything. The new king in this village happens to be a friend of mine, (the followers look at one another) Though, we know he was not the right person, but that is not our business, because, if he was the right King, he may not have needed our assistance. But now he has come to seek for our assistance, and we have to take this upon ourselves, for him to be able to rule as he wills. Now we have the absolute power in our hands. We can do anything we want, because we are ruling with him.

ALL:                          (They shout joyously as they shot their guns into the air) he e e.

1st Follower:              Baba, bi ise ko ba peni, enikan kin pe ise, let’s make hay while the sun shine. We have the power to do and undo as far as we are working for the King.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                Exit