Just learned about the passing of Aminatu Abiodun. One of the icons of feminism and political activism in Nigeria. Aminatu Abiodun Iyalode Ilu Ibadan. May God rest her soul.
The Iyalode of Ibadan was the representative of women in the Olubadan-in-Council which has 11 members. But she made sure she was known as Oba obinrin (‘female king’, not ‘king of women’).
Abiodun was a strong and successful trader. Strong doesn’t so much describe her, I think the right description would be ‘fire’. She survived an assassination attempt in 2009 when her cook poisoned her.
Together with Alaafin Adeyemi, Lamidi Adedibu, Lam Adesina, and Alao Arisekola, she was one of the Big Five who anoints candidates for governor in Oyo State.
She never had a Godfather. In fact, if you have a Godfather in Oyo politics, she probably was your Godfather’s Godmother.
She fought Lamidi Adedibu and his ‘Molete Boys’ on different occasions.
She was the 13th Iyalode of Ibadan. Just like her predecessors, especially the likes of Efunsetan Aniwura and Humuani Alaga, Abiodun left behind a strong legacy of grassroots organizing and activism. Here she is in her usual cool, calm, and collected form. 
Updated: Got new info that she had kids. One of you talented folks should a documentary on her story. She was juggernaut in grassroots politics for a very long time. Let’s learn about how she was able to galvanize the market women and other women groups.
