The Lion, the Heir, and the Betrayal: A Yoruba tale of power and pride, by Femifoluwa Ladehl

The Lion’s Conquest

Once, a mighty Lion Bola Tinubu fought tooth and claw to claim a great city as his own. When victory was his, he did what any wise king would: he placed his firstborn son, Aregbe, on the throne to govern in his name. For years, Aregbe ruled, but the Lion’s shadow loomed large. The city thrived, but the son’s ambition grew restless under his father’s watchful gaze.

The Father’s Gambit

When the time came for a new ruler, the Lion, still strong and far from done with his own wars, made a fateful decision. Instead of letting Aregbe choose his successor, he summoned his second son, OYE, and placed the crown upon his head. “You will take the city now,” the Lion declared. “And you, Aregbe—I have greater plans for you.”

But Aregbe seethed. To him, this was betrayal. “A king should choose his own heir!” he roared. In Yoruba tradition, had he not earned the right to pass power to his chosen? Was he not the firstborn, the one who bled for the city? His father’s move was an insult, a denial of his legacy.

The Brother’s War
Instead of bowing to his father’s will, Aregbe turned his fury outward. From beyond the palace gates, he undermined OYE at every turn, whispering to allies, stirring dissent, until the weight of his sabotage grew too heavy. Ade, unprepared for the storm his brother unleashed, fell from power.

The Lion watched in silence. He said nothing as his second son stumbled, nothing as his firstborn defied him. His own wars were not yet won there was a greater throne to claim, and he would let no distraction, not even his own blood, stand in his way.

The Ultimate Victory… and the Son’s Shame
In time, the Lion conquered the highest throne of all, proving his might once more. The land buzzed with his triumph. Yet Aregbe, stubborn as ever, refused to kneel. Instead of seeking his father’s forgiveness, he joined hands with the Lion’s weakest rivals those who could never hope to defeat him just to spite the man who made him.

The people whispered: “Why does the heir fight the king instead of standing beside him?”

Even in Yoruba lore, such defiance was rare. A son’s pride had eclipsed his wisdom.

And the Lion? He said nothing. But his silence was louder than any curse.

-Ladehl is a Public Affairs commentator