The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has dismissed speculations of being in a supremacy contest with other Yoruba monarchs, declaring himself instead as the veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition.
The monarch made this clarification in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, amid renewed tension over the conferment of a controversial Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy erupted last weekend during the unveiling of an indigenous social media platform, 2geda, held at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan. At the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, conferred the title of Okanlomo of Oodua on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
The move drew immediate objections from the Alaafin, who on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni, demanding the revocation of the title. Oba Owoade described the act as an affront to his throne, insisting that the exclusive right to confer Yoruba-wide titles rests solely with the Alaafin of Oyo.
He further accused the Ooni of exceeding his jurisdiction and disregarding a Supreme Court judgment, which, he argued, affirmed the Alaafin’s sole prerogative in matters affecting the entirety of Yorubaland.
Alaafin’s Response: No Battle for Supremacy
In the fresh statement, however, Oba Owoade struck a conciliatory yet firm tone, stressing that his role transcends rivalry.
“Why should the Alaafin get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe?” the statement queried, quoting the immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell on steady and purposeful leadership.
According to the statement, Alaafin Owoade’s reign has been marked by humility blended with royalty, a conscious effort to safeguard Yoruba customs, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects.
“He is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects. He will never compromise tradition, culture, or the development of his people for a pot of porridge,” Durojaiye stated.
The Spiritual and Historical Role of the Alaafin
The statement highlighted the spiritual depth and ancestral legitimacy of the Alaafin’s stool, recalling how Oba Owoade was initiated into the mysteries of Yoruba deities such as Ifa and Sango, making him the direct earthly representative of these gods.
The Alaafin, it noted, made a covenant at the ancient shrines of the Yoruba people to uphold, protect, and promote the values of Yoruba culture.
Tracing the history of Oyo, the statement recounted how Oranmiyan, grandson of Oduduwa, founded the city after a prolonged drought forced migrations from Ile-Ife. Oyo eventually rose as the most powerful Yoruba empire, thriving on trade, military skill, and cultural influence.
“It was the largest West African empire, the most authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities. The British colonial authorities, in their custom, 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,” the statement recalled.
Custodian of Governance and Civilization
Beyond cultural authority, the Alaafin’s palace stressed his concern for the political and social wellbeing of his people, noting that customs and traditional practices have influenced governance, religion, and economics across generations.
“The ancient city of Oyo remains a reservoir of cultural resources, rich in material and non-material heritage, handed down through generations. The precepts of the Alaafin’s administration continue to nurture and safeguard this sophisticated civilisation,” the statement added.
It further reaffirmed the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and the principle of paternal succession as the bedrock of Yoruba monarchy.
Conclusion
While the current disagreement with the Ooni of Ife has stirred debate across Yorubaland, the Alaafin of Oyo maintained that his focus is not on supremacy battles but on preserving the dignity, heritage, and unity of the Yoruba people.
