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The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has said he’s not in any supremacy battle with any monarch in Yorubaland or beyond.
His clarification, issued on Thursday in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, came two days after reports of a rift with the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Owoade gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to revoke the chieftaincy title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland”, which was conferred on businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
According to the Alaafin, the Ooni’s action amounted to overstepping his authority, describing it as both an affront to his office and a disregard for tradition and the law.
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He further cited a Supreme Court ruling affirming that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title that applies to the entirety of Yorubaland.
The ultimatum, however, sparked heated debate among Nigerians, with many interpreting it as a looming supremacy tussle between two of the most revered monarchs in the Yoruba kingdom.
In response, he stressed: “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. Oba Owoade combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands.”
Unquestionable king
He further described himself as a king beyond question, one who commands death, is both parent to death, wields supreme authority, and serves as a commander even to the gods.
He added that he had been initiated into the mysteries of several deities, including Ifa and Sango, positioning himself as their direct representative on earth.
“At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, as Oba 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, 3xbecause 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 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 Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation”, said the monarch.
Traditional practices
Furthermore, the Alaafin stressed that he placed great reliance on the will and wishes of his subjects.
He explained that, in politics, his foremost concern was the sanctity of his position and the welfare of his people.
Mr Owoade said, “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.
“Among them are festivals, diet, building of historical and architectural interest and ancient city walls that have been declared monuments by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Others are ethnographic assets which include war dresses, traditional and royal crafts, leather works, calabash decorations, pottery, wood carving and production of traditional drums (dundun and sekere).”
He further explained that his guiding principles of governance had consistently upheld and nurtured the people’s ancient culture and refined civilisation since time immemorial.
According to him, the fundamental concept of government was rooted in monarchy, marked by strict adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and the paternal line.
“The Alaafin, Iku Baba Yeye (Death, the almighty, Ruler and companion of the gods) is the title of the monarch. Even with the divine attributes, the Alaafin operates a
government that is judged by its results. The prosperity, security and well-being of the people dictated his popularity both in the palace and in the Empire at large.”
Backstory
The newspaper reported that the monarch, following his visit to the Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, in June, denied having any rift with the Ooni.
He dismissed the rumours at a time when speculation about a strained relationship between the two monarchs was gaining traction.
According to him, his delay in visiting the Ooni was due solely to scheduling constraints and not any form of disagreement.
He clarified his position after a viral video circulated online, portraying him as snubbing the Ooni during the West Africa Economic Summit in Abuja.
However, the Ooni dismissed the video as misleading and mischievously edited.
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