The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has dismissed claims that he is locked in a supremacy battle with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, or any other monarch in Yorubaland.
The monarch clarified his stance in a statement issued on Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The rebuttal follows rising tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni after the latter conferred the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of an indigenous social media network, 2geda, held at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, last weekend.
According to the statement, Oba Owoade remains a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, guided by the will and welfare of his people. The Alaafin stressed that he would never compromise the heritage of his forefathers for personal gain, emphasizing that his reign is measured by the prosperity, peace, and development of his subjects.
Quoting Alexander Graham Bell, the statement likened Owoade’s leadership to steady progress built on humility, perseverance, and a commitment to the common good.
The palace also highlighted the Alaafin’s historical significance, noting that Oyo had long been recognized as a central authority in Yoruba land, with its influence extending to politics, religion, and culture.
Reaffirming his covenant with Yoruba ancestors, the Alaafin pledged to continue preserving tradition while adapting to modern governance. He underscored his role as a symbol of Yoruba unity, cautioning against misinterpretations that could fuel unnecessary rivalries among traditional rulers.
