…Urges Alaafin to dialogue with opponents
The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has advised the newly-installed Alaafin of Oyo,Oba Abimbola Owoade, to prioritise dialogue and cooperation, rather than engaging in supremacy battles, particularly with the Ooni of Ife,Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
Speaking during a press conference to mark his birthday on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Oba Akinyemi warned against any form of confrontation that could destabilise the unity of the Yoruba traditional institution.
The monarch urged the new Alaafin to embrace reconciliation with those opposing his ascension, stressing that dialogue is a more effective tool for leadership than aggression.
“My experience and my advice to the new Alaafin of Oyo is that he should do more of dialogue than confrontation,” Oba Akinyemi stated.
“He should engage with them, the people he calls opponents. If he calls five of them, at least four will answer him, and they can resolve whatever they have concerning the throne.”
He emphasized that the stool of the Alaafin, like many revered thrones across Yorubaland, must be approached with humility and inclusiveness, not with a sense of personal supremacy.
“The seat is a one sit for a hundred people. Once the person sits, every other person will have to fall in place. So, he should not be confrontational; he should just dialogue,” he added.
On the lingering tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni over traditional hierarchy, the Eselu declared that such rivalry was outdated and unproductive in the modern Yoruba socio-political structure.
“He should forget about the issue of supremacy between him and the Ooni if he wants Yorubaland to move forward. God is the only supreme,” the monarch noted.
Oba Akinyemi called on both the Ooni and the Alaafin to work together for the collective progress of the Yoruba race, describing both as young, enlightened leaders with global exposure.
“The Ooni is a young person like himself. They both have foreign experience. This current Ooni is different from the late Ooni who was highly conservative. This one is liberal, goes around and even attends parties with friends and acquaintances. I believe he will observe and see what the Alaafin brings to the table,” the monarch said.
He further explained that power among traditional rulers had long been decentralised, unlike during the colonial era when the Alaafin held imperial authority across Yorubaland.
“We all know Ife is the source of Yorubaland, and nobody can forget the source. But they should forget about supremacy because it will do us no good,” he said.
“Ooni cannot come and control Egbaland. Likewise, Alaafin cannot control Eselu people. The power has been decentralised. Alake is the Alake of Egbaland, and Olu of Ilaro is also in charge of his domain. None of them can override each other anymore.”
Oba Akinyemi concluded by urging Yoruba traditional rulers to avoid unnecessary rivalry and instead focus on regional development and unity.
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