By Abiola Olawale
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has denied engaging in a supremacy battle with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, or any other monarch, following a recent chieftaincy title dispute in Yorubaland.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions following the Alaafin’s 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement released on Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Oba Owoade emphasized his commitment to preserving Yoruba culture and fostering unity among traditional rulers.
He stressed that his focus remains on the welfare of his subjects and the advancement of Yoruba heritage.
Oba Owoade clarified that his actions were not driven by a desire for supremacy but by a commitment to uphold Yoruba tradition.
The statement reads in part, “Why Alaafin does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe. These immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell – The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.
“It is the man who carefully advances step by step, with his mind becoming wider and wider, and progressively be able to grasp any theme or situation -persevering in what he knows to be practical, and concentrating his thought upon it, who is bound to succeed in the greatest degree” – sum up the life voyage of Owoade, an indomitable monarch with an unequalled passion for the great good of all.
“He (Alaafin) is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise tradition, culture, and development of his people for a pot of porridge. The history has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.
“Alaafin combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands. Kabiyesi (the king who no one questions). Iku Baba Yeye (The one who commands death/he who is parent to death). Alashe (He who wields authority). Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-command to the gods). The Alaafin was inducted into the mysteries of various gods like Ifa, Sango, etc, to be the direct representative of these deities on earth.”
“At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, as Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect, and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition. Oduduwa’s Principal minister and grandson, Oranmiyan (Because Oduduwa begot Okanbi, an only child, and Okanbi begot Oranmiyan, among others, namely Ila-Orangun, Oni-Sabe, Olu-Popo, Ala-Ketu, Oba-Benin), founded the city of Oyo when a prolonged drought struck Ile-Ife as a result of people’s emigration.
“Oyo simply rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire, the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities. More so, the British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.
“In politics also, he is concerned about the sanctity of his position, and whatever happens on the welfare of his people. Customs and all traditional practices of today in government, religion, and economic life have had a distance, and possibly age-long origins, which were based on valid and accepted tenets that emerged from the synthesis and aggregated experience of a particular society.
“One of such societies is the ancient city of Oyo, reputed for cultural resources that are of rich non-material and material attributes and transmitted through generations. Moreover, the precepts and concepts of Alaafin’s administration have continued to support and nurture the people’s ancient culture and sophisticated civilisation from time immemorial.
“The basic concept of government was monarchy with a rigid adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and of the paternal line.”
The New Diplomat reports that the controversy erupted on Monday, August 18, when the Alaafin issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Ooni’s conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on Chief Dotun Sanusi.
The Alaafin argued that only he holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles encompassing all of Yorubaland.
However, Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the ultimatum as “an empty threat from a dead empire,” describing the Alaafin’s claims as baseless and refusing to engage further, leaving the matter to public opinion.
