British treaty declares me as supreme Yoruba monarch, Alaafin tells Ooni, others

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has asserted that historical records, including a treaty signed by the British, affirm his position as the foremost ruler of the Yoruba Nation.

This declaration comes in the wake of a renewed disagreement with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, who recently honoured businessman Dotun Sanusi with the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland during the launch of the 2geda media platform at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.

Earlier in the week, the Alaafin, through his Director of Media, Bode Durojaye, issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the Ooni withdraw the title or “face the consequences.” The deadline lapsed on Wednesday without a response from the Ife monarch.

In a fresh statement on Thursday, Durojaye reiterated the Alaafin’s historical authority, stating that Oyo’s prominence was built on wealth, trade, and military strength, making it “the largest West African empire and the most authoritative of all Yoruba principalities.”

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 statement further described the monarch as “a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, who prioritises the welfare of his people and would never compromise their development for a pot of porridge.”

Highlighting his covenant with Yoruba ancestors, the Alaafin was praised as “Kabiyesi… Iku Baba Yeye… Alashe… Ekeji Orisha,” titles reflecting his divine authority and spiritual induction into the mysteries of Ifa, Sango, and other deities.

The statement traced the Alaafin’s lineage to Oduduwa through Oranmiyan and emphasised that his reign continues to uphold Yoruba civilisation’s ancient cultural and political heritage.

Meanwhile, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has called for calm among supporters of both monarchs, describing the controversy as unnecessary.

He said, “The latest controversy over the speculative conferment of Okanlomo of Yoruba land on one of our illustrious sons, Dotun Sanusi… is unnecessary. There is no substance in the issue because it was a mere speculation. I am in touch with both Alaafin and Ooni… they are both for peace and unity. I have said it before that Ooni remains Ooni, and Alaafin remains Alaafin. There is no supremacy battle.”

Oba Alao urged Yoruba people worldwide to stop media attacks, stressing that “Obas’ thrones are too sacred to be desecrated by all and sundry… Let us continue to uphold the omoluabi ethos in all situations.”

(PUNCH)