Alaafin Insists British Recognised Him as Supreme Yoruba King Amid Tension With Ooni
Alaafin Insists British Recognised Him as Supreme Yoruba King Amid Tension With Ooni
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has said that British colonial authorities historically recognised the Alaafin as the supreme king of the Yoruba people.
His statement comes against the backdrop of a growing rift with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, following the Ooni’s conferment of the title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of the 2geda media networking platform at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, last weekend.
Through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, the Alaafin had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni, demanding the withdrawal of the title or face unspecified consequences. The deadline expired on Wednesday without a response from the Ooni’s palace.
Addressing the matter on Thursday, the Alaafin dismissed insinuations of rivalry, insisting that history had long affirmed Oyo’s position in Yoruba leadership.
“Oyo rose to prominence through wealth from trade and military prowess. It became the largest West African empire, the most authoritative of all early Yoruba principalities,” he stated. “As was their tradition, the British recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cession with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”
He added that his covenant with his ancestors is to protect and promote Yoruba tradition, not to be drawn into supremacy contests.
Quoting Alexander Graham Bell, the monarch said: “The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.”
According to him, the British recognition was not merely symbolic but a reflection of Oyo’s historic role as the political and cultural centre of the Yoruba.
“The Alaafin operates a government judged by results, as prosperity, security and the welfare of the people dictate his popularity in the palace and across the empire,” the statement read.
The monarch stressed that his throne would not be dragged into “modern supremacy battles,” describing such disputes as needless distractions. Instead, he said the focus remains on safeguarding Yoruba culture and governance rooted in the Oduduwa dynasty.
His latest remarks follow widespread reactions to his earlier ultimatum, with several traditional councils and groups appealing for restraint and calling for unity among Yoruba monarchs.
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