Basorun Gaha's dominance and Alafin Abiodun's counter-coup at Oyo

In 1754 Basorun Gaha moved to deprive the Alafin of economic power by substituting his own relations for the Alafin's Ajele in tributary towns, becoming as despotic as the kings he supplanted. In 1774, after twenty years, Alafin Abiodun aroused popular support, defeated Gaha, and exterminated his family and friends — including many military chiefs, which gravely weakened the Oyo army.