The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao has declared that there is no more supremacy battle between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Oba Alao stated this while addressing newsmen after a courtesy visit to the newly crowned Alaafin Owoade I at his temporary palace in Oyo, on Sunday.
“I have heard a lot after the coronation, but I will tell you one thing, Alaafin will remain Alaafin, Ooni will remain Ooni of Ife, there is no dispute,” Olugbon stated.
The monarch, who described Alaafin as God’s chosen, said their discussion centred on issues that were progressive to Oyo State government, traditional rulers, traditional council, and the entire Yoruba land.
“My purpose of coming here is to pay homage to our leader, Alaafin of Oyo, due to our past relationship, traditionally, culturally, historically. Olugbon, Aresa, Onikoyi – we see Alaafin as our affiliation, our tide, we have a very long bond from the days of Oyo empire till date.
“We are happy to be with the new Alaafin of Oyo. We discussed issues that are progressive to Oyo State Government, Obas, traditional council, and the entire Yoruba land.
“In fact, we are blessed with this new Alaafin. He is very cerebral, he is a man of wisdom, he chooses his words carefully. He has personality and he is equipped academically,” he said.
Olugbon, who commended the Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his sacrificial role towards the selection of Alaafin, described the process as “extraordinary.“
“I believe the government has done the right thing. I will say kudos to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. He is a wonderful and a successful governor. He has installed some prominent kings in the state, the one of this Alaafin is extraordinary and he has done it excellently.
“I will tell you for a fact, God Almighty has chosen a befitting Alaafin for Yoruba land.
“We discussed how Oyo State Obas’ Council will move forward. He told me the governor is very amiable, a wonderful governor. We are working together, there is no way we as traditional rulers can do anything on our own, we must have a synergy with the state government and we are doing that.
“These are part of the things we share in common. I know for sure that we have a new leader, a new era to move Oyo State Obas’ Council forward, to move Oyo State as a whole forward in synergy with the state government,” he added.
While encouraging traditional rulers in Yoruba land, Oba Alao, who is the vice chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, appealed for calm among traditional rulers.
Olugbon admonished all Yoruba traditional rulers, saying “everybody should be calm.”
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