‘Supremacy Feud Among Yoruba Monarchs Threatens Unity,’ Gani Adams Warns

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has raised concerns over what he described as an escalating struggle for supremacy among Yoruba traditional rulers.

Addressing the issue at the 2026 Oodua Festival held at Enuwa Palace Square, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adams urged the royal fathers to refrain from actions that could further fracture the Yoruba nation.

Speaking in his capacity as the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), he emphasised the need for monarchs to focus on preserving cultural heritage, social cohesion, and the development of the Yoruba people.

“In recent times, the level of disunity among traditional rulers in Yorubaland has become a pressing concern. I am duty-bound to sound the alarm that this ugly development threatens the cultural heritage, social cohesion, and developmental prospects of the Yoruba people.

“The level of disunity is now at an alarming level. I respectfully call on all our traditional rulers to jettison the supremacy battles that are threatening to tear us apart. We should unite to prevent external infiltrations. We need our traditional rulers to resume speaking with one voice for the progress of Yorubaland and the Southwest region, rather than fighting for personal aggrandisement and interests.

“This fragmentation among our traditional stools, often fueled by political interference and personal rivalries, undermines the collective strength and influence of the traditional institution, which has historically been a pillar of Yoruba identity and governance,” Adams stated.

He further called on political leaders, elders, and thought leaders to intervene and mediate to resolve disputes among the monarchs.

In his remarks, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, called on Osun indigenes in the diaspora to partner with the state government in revitalizing and promoting tourist sites.

“The government cannot do it alone. We have a lot of tourist centres in Osun State and we are calling on our people in diaspora to join hands with us in upgrading these sites,” Ojo noted.

Speaking on behalf of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Oba Idowu Adediwura, Obalufe of Ife, appealed to South-West governors to back Adams’ efforts in eliminating criminal activities from Yorubaland.

Recent controversies among Yoruba monarchs have raised concerns about infighting and its potential negative impact on the cultural and social development of the race.