Following the controversy generated by the conferment of the Okanlomo title on Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has dismissed claims that he is in a supremacy tussle with any monarch, either in Yorubaland or beyond.
The monarch, who clarified this in a statement issued on Thursday by his director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, said he remained a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and his reign was focused on the welfare of his people.
He stressed that he had no reason to engage in a supremacy contest.
It would be recalled that Oba Owoade’s criticism of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, over the recent conferment of the chieftaincy title, Okanlomo of Oduduwa, on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of a new indigenous social media platform at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, had trailed controversy.
Addressing the matter, the monarch said, “Why does Alaafin need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe?
“These immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell – The most successful men are those whose success results from steady accretion.
“It is the man who carefully advances step by step, with his mind becoming wider and wider, and progressively be able to grasp any theme or situation -persevering in what he knows to be practical and concentrating his thought upon it, who is bound to succeed in the most significant degree, sum up the life voyage of Owoade, an indomitable monarch with an unequalled passion for the great good of all.
“He (Alaafin) is a veritable Yoruba culture and tradition custodian. He has always considered the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise his people’s tradition, culture and development for a pot of porridge.
“The history has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade publicity since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.
“Alaafin combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands. Kabiyesi (the king who no one questions). Iku Baba Yeye (The one who commands death/he who is parent to death). Alashe (He who wields authority). Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-command to the gods). The Alaafin was inducted into the mysteries of gods like Ifa, Sango, etc., directly representing these earthly deities.
“At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, as Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors, he would defend, protect and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition.
“Oduduwa’s Principal minister and grandson, Oranmiyan (Because Oduduwa begot Okanbi, an only child, and Okanbi begot Oranmiyan, among others, namely Ila-Orangun, Oni-Sabe, Olu-Popo, Ala-Ketu, Oba-Benin), founded the city of Oyo when prolonged drought struck Ile-Ife as a result of people’s emigration.
“Oyo simply rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire, the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities.
“More so, as it was in their tradition, the British recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.
“In politics also, he is concerned about the sanctity of his position and whatever happens to the welfare of his people. Customs and all traditional practices of today in government, religion, and economic life have had distance and possibly age-long origins based on valid and accepted tenets that emerged from a particular society’s synthesis and aggregated experience.
“One such society is the ancient city of Oyo, which is reputed for its cultural resources and rich non-material and material attributes transmitted through generations.
“Moreover, the precepts and concepts of Alaafin’s administration have continued to support and nurture the people’s ancient culture and sophisticated civilisation from time immemorial.
“The basic concept of government was monarchy with a rigid adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and of the paternal line,” Alaafin declared.
