Ooni vs Alaafin: Crisis deepens as UK reveals who’s Yoruba supreme ruler

On Thursday, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, announced that the British had formally ratified a treaty recognizing him as the preeminent leader of the Yoruba Nation.

This declaration comes in the wake of a renewed conflict between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. The discord was sparked when the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland upon businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of the 2geda media networking platform at Ilaji Hotel in Ibadan over the past weekend.

The Alaafin has stated his Director of Media, Bode Durojaye, in which he condemned the actions of the Ooni on Monday. The statement included a 48-hour ultimatum for the Ooni to retract the chieftaincy title awarded; failing this, he would face “the consequences. “The Ooni has, however, kept mum on the matter, even as the ultimatum expired on Wednesday.

In a fresh statement by his media aide, Durojaye, on Thursday, the Alaafin went historical, asserting that he remains the foremost monarch in Yoruba land.

Alaafin said, “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.

“Alaafin has sworn to his ancestors to defend and add glamour to Yoruba tradition; he would never be in a supremacy battle with any king.

“Why does Alaafin 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.”

The Thursday stated that the Alaafin, “at the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine…made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition.”

The statement stressed that the 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.”

It stated: “The history has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade publicity 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.

“The monarch operates a government that is judged by its result, as prosperity, security, and well-being of the people dictate his popularity both in the palace and in the empire at large.”

The statement also launched into heavy praises of the Alaafin, stating that: “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.

“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 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 statement explained.