NewStats: 3,259,613 , 8,170,607 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 05:26 PM 47f2n

This article was necessitated by the events that took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, when the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo refused to stand up to greet the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who had approached to exchange pleasantries with him and other monarchs at a programme organised by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a video that went viral on social media, the Alaafin remained seated and greeted the Ooni casually, while other traditional rulers stood up to shake hands with Oba Adeyeye.

I first saw the viral video on the Facebook profile of Adedamola Adetayo, a ‘ThinkYorubaFirst’ cultural ambassador. He captioned the video, ‘This is very bad optics. Indefensible. It’s a bad omen for Yorubaland.’

As expected, many latter-day historians weighed in on the matter. While some argued that the Alaafin disrespected the Ooni, who is acknowledged to be the spiritual head of the Yoruba race, others claimed that once seated at an event, it is a taboo for an Alaafin to stand up to greet anyone, no matter how highly placed that person was in the society. However, at that same event, the Alaafin was seen standing up to greet the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, and the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

The Alaafin’s personal assistant, Kolade Oladele, saw nothing wrong in the video. When asked for his reaction, he gave a lame, tepid and watery excuse, saying those reading meaning into the issues are making deliberate attempts to sow discord among Yoruba traditional rulers and distracting them from focusing on more pressing issues affecting the region, including insecurity, economic hardship, and youth development.

As a political expert whose knowledge of historical facts is limited, I couldn’t fault those who saw nothing wrong in the Alaafin’s action at the said event. However, deep down within me, I knew something was amiss, given the body language of the Alaafin and the way he fixed his gaze to the ground while the Ooni was walking to him to exchange pleasantries.

A few days later, the media became awash with reports that there was indeed a simmering rift between the two respected Yoruba monarchs which started in March 2025 when the Alaafin was doing his Ipebi (seclusion rites). The bone of contention was Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. There were reports that the Ooni of Ife had always crowned the monarchs in the village, but the new Alaafin believed that the place was an Oyo territory and not Osun; therefore, the Ooni should not interfere in matters relating to the village.

Matters took a disturbing turn when it was reported that a Yoruba traditional ruler based in the United States, Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale, the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, was allegedly seriously beaten.

I find these developments so disturbing, especially for a monarch that was coronated just a month ago. Lest we forget, the ascension of Oba Owoade to the prestigious throne is currently being challenged in court by one of the contestants, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin. Also, five out of seven Oyomesis (kingmakers) said he was not their choice. They claimed they recommended Gbadegesin for the role. However, on January 10, Governor Makinde disapproved of their choice and presented Owoade with the staff of office as the new Alaafin. In the days of yore, the Oyo Mesi was made up of the most powerful noblemen in imperial Oyo. They constituted the electoral council and possess the legislative powers to carry out their duty. The seven councillors are (1) Bashorun, (2) Agbaakin, (3) Samu, (4) Alapinni, (5) Laguna, (6) Akiniku (7) Ashipa. No emperor, or Alaafin of Oyo, was capable of being enthroned in the capital without the prior consent of and performance of rituals by these seven titleholders. However, in today’s world, the government is the ‘Oyomesi’, and any other kingmaker who questions the authority of the constituted authority will have himself to blame.

Honestly, I don’t know the basis upon which the new Alaafin will see himself as co-equal with the Ooni. It beats my imagination how a king who was crowned in 2025 will be claiming rivalry with a monarch that was coronated in 2015. If you won’t respect his age, at least show respect for the fact that he is your senior. There is no basis for any rivalry whatsoever. Maybe such rivalry existed in times past when the monarchs were warlords, but with the advent of civilisation, the government recognises the Ooni of Ife over the Alaafin. While they are both highly respected and first-class monarchs, from the perspective of the federal government, the Ooni, being the spiritual head of the entire Yoruba race, is considered as the head of all Southern monarchs, just as the Sultan of Sokoto is considered as the head of all royal fathers in the North. It is just like the Emir of Kano or Emir of Borno dragging superiority with the Sultan of Sokoto.

A few days ago, many Yoruba people were shocked with the statement credited to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, in which he accused the Ooni of Ife of plotting his downfall after he (Oluwo) helped him (Ooni) to mount the throne. But for the maturity and calm disposition of the Ooni, the matter would have degenerated into a major conflict. I would have expected Alaafin Owoade to use his position to broker peace not just between the two monarchs but also other royal fathers in the South-West. I wanted an Alaafin that will prioritise the need for Yoruba unity so as to tly confront the myriads of challenges confronting us as a race and lead the Yoruba to national preeminence.

What is the relevance of traditional rulers in modern-day Nigeria? Can the society survive without them? The answer is neither here nor there. To the government, the traditional rulers are non-state actors who exist at the pleasures of the politicians and can be dispensed with anytime. To the culturalists, the royal fathers are essential for the preservation of our culture and traditions. Alaafin Owoade should know that his title today is just ceremonial. In the olden days, an Alaafin could pronounce death on any of his subjects, and no one dared to question him. That is why they bear names and appellations such as Kabiyesi, which means the king no one can question; Iku Baba Yeye, meaning the one who can command death or pronounce the same upon his father or mother or he who is parent to death; and Alashe Ekeji Orisha, which means he who wields authority and is second-in-command to the gods.

Unlike in times past when the royal fathers were the governing authority, the Alaafin today cannot pronounce death on any of the subjects under his domain; that responsibility lies with the courts or judicial arm of government. Yoruba have a saying in the past, and it goes thus: ‘Oba loni ile; Oba ba lori ohun gbogbo (The king owns the land; the king rules over the affairs of everything). Any king who tries such in today’s Nigeria will have himself to blame.

Just last month, the Ogun State Government arraigned the Olu of Obafemi, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, before Justice Sunday Adeniyi of the state High Court, Abeokuta, for land grabbing. Oba Owolabi, a member of the Egba Traditional Council, is currently on suspension over the same allegation. In a statement by the Ministry of Justice, the royal father was said to have been arraigned on Tuesday “for conspiracy to sell property without authority, sale of property without authority, unlawful use of agents, forceful takeover of land, assault of a police officer, and obtaining by false pretence.” Apparently, the monarch thinks he has the powers wielded by his forefathers on the throne, forgetting that his position is just ceremonial. Also last month, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State dethroned two traditional rulers—one over alleged complicity in kidnapping and another due to irregular appointment procedures.

In August 2008, the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, had to beg for forgiveness when the then state government, led by Gbenga Daniel, threatened to dethrone him based on his public lament on the bad condition of roads in Abeokuta.

I was one of the journalists who interviewed Iba Gani Adams, the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, in 2017 when he was announced as the Aare. As a highly revered generalissimo who led many battles with the Oodua Peoples Congress as its national coordinator, we asked if he would use his position as Aare Ona Kakanfo to lead the Yoruba to war. His response: “The position in the past meant that you had to continually fight wars to protect your people and may be killed in the process, but that was before Nigeria became a sovereign nation. The job in the modern era is limited in of physical defence because there are security apparatuses to settle disputes.”

The new Alalafin, Oba Owoade, should know that he is occupying a privileged position, ordained by God with the of Governor Makinde. Prince Gbadegesin could have been on the throne today if the kingmakers had their way. As a royal father of repute, Oba Owoade must use his position to promote peace, not just among fellow Obas but among the entire Yoruba race. As one of the fathers of the Yoruba race, he must use his native wisdom and intelligence to proffer solutions and advise the government on how to deal with some of the intractable problems in the South-West region.

Having squabbles with a fellow monarch over a territory in faraway United States, less than a month after you are crowned is not ideal. The Oba will also do well to know his limits as a modern-day Oba and not view himself as an emperor in times past. He may incur the wrath of the state government if he does that. The same white whiteman who made the pencil also made the eraser to strike out whatsoever was written by the pencil.

Lastly, I must commend the Ooni of Ife for the equanimity with which he has borne some of the unprovoked attacks against him. If the Ooni had responded in like manner to some of the statements and actions made against it, it may have degenerated into a major conflict, as the media and bloggers will feast on it and blow it out of proportion.

No matter his deified or apotheosis status, the Ooni is still a human and is bound to make mistakes. When such happens, we must respect his sacred office and crown (Tadenikawo). For those accusing the Ooni of making himself too accessible by attending all manners of events, that is an infantile way of reasoning. In fact, the Ooni should attend more events where he can showcase the rich Yoruba and African culture which he embodies to the public. The Ooni of today is not a statue that will sit in his palace, expecting people to come and pay homage to him. The fact that he makes himself accessible is not a licence for anyone to ridicule his personality or his crown. As the saying goes, ‘The gentility of a lion is not a sign of cowardice.’ Those who desecrated or attempted to ridicule the crown of the Ooni, unprovoked, all paid for it.

I en the new Alaafin, Oba Owoade, the Ooni of Ife, the Oluwo of Iwo and other royal fathers to bury their hatchets, hands together and pray for the peace, progress and stability of the Yoruba race rather than continue the age-long tradition of superiority battles. Like Wale Ojo-Lanre said “What the time demands is not a return to the fragmented glory of ancient pride but a renewal of Yoruba unity. If the Alaafin represents the strength of Oyo and the Ooni symbolises the spiritual bedrock of Ife, then together, they must weave the fabric of Yoruba resurgence. Ego and envy cannot build a future. Respect and cooperation can”.

*Akinsuyi, former group politics editor of Daily Independent, studies sustainability communications strategies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Respect is a reciprocal

If I was the Alafin, I'll not even wait for the Ooni to reach me and meet me seated. I will meet the Ooni when still away from me, hug him and made him to wait with me a little bit for some small talks. We'll then walk back together to where I'm seated, have some more hug/handshake and get separated to our different seat.

If you're great, you're great. You don't need to act like a "small mind" to ascert your greatness or trying to prove any superiority...

We should learn wisdom, scruples and the Omoluabi ethos from kings...

Royal rascality these days.

UncleAyo:
If I was the Alafin, I'll not even wait for the Ooni to reach me and meet me seated. I will meet the Ooni when still away from me, hug him and made him to wait with me a little bit for some small talks. We'll then walk back together to where I'm seated, have some more hug/handshake and get separated to our different seat.

If you're great, you're great. You don't need to act like a "small mind" to ascert your greatness or trying to prove any superiority...

We should learn wisdom, scruples and the Omoluabi ethos from kings...

Current Alafin is not just mature enough to be crown Alafin.

I'm telling you. A businessman yesterday was made a king and he thinks he is a god

KillVDMnow:


Current Alafin is not just mature enough to be crown Alafin.

You cannot be United with a son who insists.that his father must prostrate before him him and call him father
because how are you going to deal with issues where the real father is needs to move first and fast
and represent everyone in a calculated or crucial move


A son who claims to be his father is a hindrance to family movement

UncleAyo:
If I was the Alafin, I'll not even wait for the Ooni to reach me and meet me seated. I will meet the Ooni when still away from me, hug him and made him to wait with me a little bit for some small talks. We'll then walk back together to where I'm seated, have some more hug/handshake and get separated to our different seat.

If you're great, you're great. You don't need to act like a "small mind" to ascert your greatness or trying to prove any superiority...

We should learn wisdom, scruples and the Omoluabi ethos from kings...

As things are now Alaafin needs to go to Ile Ife to mend the matter
And Modakeke are in excellent position to be the peacemakers and peacekeepers
Of the situation and explain the History the new Alaafin doesn’t fully understand enough to him

Ooni is the Father of all Yoruba Kings


Below is the 1971 Photo of Ooni Aderemi presenting Alaafin Adeyemi with letter of right to the Oyo Throne

well said but Yoruba people cant unite. Its a curse by an Alaafin. i can't his name

UncleAyo:
If I was the Alafin, I'll not even wait for the Ooni to reach me and meet me seated. I will meet the Ooni when still away from me, hug him and made him to wait with me a little bit for some small talks. We'll then walk back together to where I'm seated, have some more hug/handshake and get separated to our different seat.

If you're great, you're great. You don't need to act like a "small mind" to ascert your greatness or trying to prove any superiority...

We should learn wisdom, scruples and the Omoluabi ethos from kings...

Don’t mind that funny alaafin he is fool of himself..

Christistruth02:
You cannot be United with a son who insists.that his father must prostrate before him him and call him father
because how are you going to deal with issues where the real father is needs to move first and fast
and represent everyone in a calculated or crucial move


A son who claims to be his father is a hindrance to family movement

Full

Morenikeji090:
Don’t mind that funny alaafin he is fool of himself..

All these kings still having 14th century egos. Your empires were once great but not anymore so be humble.

The king of England was once a very powerful monarch but today he’ll queue behind some more powerful presidents in the world.

Where is Mongolia empire today, Byzantine, Roman, Persian, Ottoman, Macedonia etc.

These were powerful empires that stretched far and wide across continents but they’re all far less powerful than they were once today.

Well said. He thinks it's olden days when Alaafin are like governors and dictators

Sheuns:
All these kings still having 14th century egos. Your empires were once great but not anymore so be humble.

The king of England was once a very powerful monarch but today he’ll queue behind some more powerful presidents in the world.

Where is Mongolia empire today, Byzantine, Roman, Persian, Ottoman, Macedonia etc.

These were powerful empires that stretched far and wide across continents but they’re all far less powerful than they were once today.

Christistruth02:



As things are now Alaafin needs to go to Ile Ife to mend the matter
And Modakeke are in excellent position to be the peacemakers and peacekeepers
Of the situation and explain the History the new Alaafin doesn’t fully understand enough to him

Ooni is the Father of all Yoruba Kings


Below is the 1971 Photo of Ooni Aderemi presenting Alaafin Adeyemi with letter of right to the Oyo Throne

Maybe Modakekes can do that but it’s historically documented that Modakekes did worse by chasing Ife people and Ooni out of Ife to the bush for 13 good years.

The bigger question is why we are trying to resuscitate roles and authorities that are long dead and replaced by government? Even Ooni had to get politicized in the first republic for that specific purpose.

Shikena:



Maybe Modakekes can do that but it’s historically documented that Modakekes did worse by chasing Ife people and Ooni out of Ife to the bush for 13 good years.

The bigger question is why we are trying to resuscitate roles and authorities that are long dead and replaced by government? Even Ooni had to get politicized in the first republic for that specific purpose.

It was 15 years
It was a retaliation attack
during the Kiriji Wars where Ife and Modakeke fought on opposing sides

We live in a different age
It was also documented that it was Modakeke Warriors that helped Ife to extend the Territory of Ife from Enuwa to Alakowe


It was also Modakeke Warriors and Ijebu that allied with Ife to finish off the Owu kingdom after they attacked Ife

Christistruth02:



As things are now Alaafin needs to go to Ile Ife to mend the matter
And Modakeke are in excellent position to be the peacemakers and peacekeepers
Of the situation and explain the History the new Alaafin doesn’t fully understand enough to him

Ooni is the Father of all Yoruba Kings


Below is the 1971 Photo of Ooni Aderemi presenting Alaafin Adeyemi with letter of right to the Oyo Throne

That was an istrative role.
Ooni Aderemi doubled as premier of old western region.
Not because of any cultural seniority.
Aderemi enjoyed that dual role during his time.

DelilahMakinde:


That was an istrative role.
Ooni Aderemi doubled as premier of old western region.
Not because of any cultural seniority.
Aderemi enjoyed that dual role during his time.

It was in 1971
Ooni Aderemi was no longer the Governor General of the Western Region since the Jan Coup of 1966 when the Army took over.


Ooni Aderemi was giving Alafin Adeyemi his appointment letter.

It is ancient Yoruba Tradition and no Oba can be installed without the Approval of the Ooni of ife because all the Yoruba Crowns Technically belong to him.

Ooni will also send him a beaded Necklace
which must be returned back to Ooni in Ile Ife Ile Ife on the Alaafin's demise
Gen Adebayo was the Military Gov in 1971

DelilahMakinde:


That was an istrative role.
Ooni Aderemi doubled as premier of old western region.
Not because of any cultural seniority.
Aderemi enjoyed that dual role during his time.

Ooni Aderemi was governor from1960 to 1962.

Alaafin Adeyemi was crowned in 1971.

Slytiger:

Ooni Aderemi was premier from1960 to 1962.

Alaafin Adeyemi was crowned in 1971.

Thank you

He was not even Premier he was Gov General of the Western Region

Christistruth02:



Thank you

He was not even Premier he was Gov General of the Western Region

Sorry. I meant governor.

Thanks for the correction. I have corrected my post.

Very true 👍

Christistruth02:



Thank you

He was not even Premier he was Gov General of the Western Region

Christistruth02:



It was in 1971
Ooni Aderemi was no longer the Governor General of the Western Region since the Jan Coup of 1966 when the Army took over.


Ooni Aderemi was giving Alafin Adeyemi his appointment letter.

It is ancient Yoruba Tradition and no Oba can be installed without the Approval of the Ooni of ife because all the Yoruba Crowns Technically belong to him.

Ooni will also send him a beaded Necklace
which must be returned back to Ooni in Ile Ife Ile Ife on the Alaafin's demise
Gen Adebayo was the Military Gov in 1971

What an absurd arrangement.
Anyway an Ooni hasn't handed out any appointment letter since Sijuade.
That is the function of the state governors now

Ok ooo...I stand corrected on the wrong dates.

Thanks

DelilahMakinde:



What an absurd arrangement.
Anyway an Ooni hasn't handed out any appointment letter since Sijuade.
That is the function of the state governors now

Ok ooo...I stand corrected on the wrong dates.

Thanks

Yes. Things are changing. In the past, the Alaafin had to collect Ada (sword of state/justice) and Abere (sword of mercy) from Ife to be able to give judgement on execution when he is been enthroned.

We have many scholars and historians here. Good job

DelilahMakinde:



What an absurd arrangement.
Anyway an Ooni hasn't handed out any appointment letter since Sijuade.
That is the function of the state governors now

Ok ooo...I stand corrected on the wrong dates.

Thanks

The government is the authority now when it comes to installation. Even those swords of mercy and justice, I don't think Ooni hands it over to Alaafin again. If not, why will Alaafin disrespect Ooni by not standing up to greet?
[quote author=Christistruth02 post=135345428][/quote]

How does Oranmiyan being in possession of and moving to Oyo with the Sword of Mercy translate into "Alaafin had to collect Ada and Abere from Ife.." ??

Slytiger:

Yes. Things are changing. In the past, the Alaafin had to collect Ada (sword of state/justice) and Abere (sword of mercy) from Ife to be able to give judgement on execution when he is been enthroned.

Ooni did not hand over any appointment letter to any Alaafin. The fact that Ooni had no such power other than the time he was a political appointee as Governor-General should already give you a clue that whatever you saw in the purported 1971 picture had nothing to do with authority to hand over letter of appointment.

The picture must be properly researched. In 2052, some kids will post pictures of Ooni of Ife greeting the seated Alaafin of Oyo somewhere in Ibadan in 2025 and include whatever interpretation suits them.

DelilahMakinde:



What an absurd arrangement.
Anyway an Ooni hasn't handed out any appointment letter since Sijuade.
That is the function of the state governors now

Ok ooo...I stand corrected on the wrong dates.

Thanks

On the other picture.

That was a picture angle from the first ever meeting of the Obas in the old western region. Quite instructively, it was not held at the regional capital, Ibadan. It was held in Oyo at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo. There was no superiority debate at that point, it was just kings of separate kingdoms coming together in a meeting for the first time ever.

They sat, wined and dined together as brother Obas at Oyo palace. No consideration for future scoring of cheap points was part of the equation at that point. Things changed much later.

X