Home Editor's Picks I am a true guardian of Yoruba culture, not in a supremacy tussle with any Oba – Alaafin of Oyo declares amid rift with Ooni of Ife.

I am a true guardian of Yoruba culture, not in a supremacy tussle with any Oba – Alaafin of Oyo declares amid rift with Ooni of Ife.

by abayomipeters720@gmail.com

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has stressed that he is not involved in any supremacy contest with other Yoruba monarchs or rulers beyond Yorubaland, describing himself instead as the “true custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, August 21, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye. The clarification follows recent tension between Oba Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, after the Ooni conferred the title Okanlomo of Oduwa on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of an indigenous social media platform, 2geda, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.

According to the statement, the Alaafin remains focused on the safety, welfare, and development of his subjects and would never trade culture or tradition for personal interests.

Durojaiye emphasized:

“Alaafin has no reason to engage in any battle for supremacy with any Oba in Yorubaland or elsewhere. As Alexander Graham Bell once said, The most successful men are those whose progress comes from steady growth, careful steps, and perseverance in practical pursuits. These words reflect the life of Oba Owoade, an indomitable monarch dedicated to the greater good of his people.”

He further described the Alaafin as “a genuine custodian of Yoruba heritage, combining humility with royalty to meet modern-day demands,” while also being revered by titles such as Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, Alashe, and Ekeji Orisha. The statement noted that the monarch had been inducted into sacred Yoruba mysteries, including Ifa and Sango, to serve as a direct representative of the deities on earth.

Tracing the historical weight of the Alaafin’s throne, the statement recalled that Oyo, founded by Oranmiyan—the grandson of Oduduwa—rose to become the largest and most powerful West African empire, recognized even by the British colonial authorities, who signed treaties with the Alaafin as the “Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”

It added that the Alaafin’s reign has consistently preserved Yoruba culture, civilization, and traditions while ensuring the welfare of his people. The palace, it stressed, remains the cornerstone of Yoruba governance, rooted in the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and centuries-old customs passed down through generations.

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