Alaafin vs Ooni: How British Treaty Appoints Head of Yoruba Nation
- The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has claimed that the British signed a treaty with Oyo and made the Alaafin the supreme leader of the Yoruba nation
- Oba Owoade made the comment in a statement by his director of media, Bode Durojaye, while keeping mum on his strained relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi
- The Alaafin had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife to withdraw the chieftaincy title he conferred on a businessman, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi
The battle for supremacy between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has continued to make waves in the media as the former claimed that the British signed a treaty during the colonial era which recognised the Alaafin as the supreme leader of the Yoruba Nation.
Oba Owoade, who was installed about five months ago, reportedly made the claim in a statement by his director of media, Bode Durojaye. He added that he had sworn with the ancestors that he would not denigrate the tradition, culture and the norms of the Yoruba people.
Source: Twitter
How Oyo became popular during the colonial era
Vanguard reported that the traditional ruler maintained that Oyo became known because of the wealth it gained from trade and military expertise, making it the largest empire, the most authoritative and important of all the Yoruba principalities.
He then added:
"The British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”
The Alaafin further reiterated his oath with the ancestor to defend and add glamour to the Yoruba tradition, stressing that he would not engage in a supremacy battle with any Oba or anywhere else in the universe.
Alaafin keeps mum on relationship with Ooni
However, the traditional ruler kept mute on his strained relationship with Ooni Ogunwusi, whom he ordered to withdraw the chieftaincy title earlier conferred on an Ibadan-born businessman, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi.
Earlier, the Alaafin clarified other issues bordering on his personality and his relationship with other traditional rulers in Yorubaland, particularly with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi.
The Alaafin's outburst was contained in a statement on Monday, August 18. In the statement, the Oyo ruler claimed that the Ooni's action was an affront and direct challenge to his authority. He maintained that the right to give title in Yorubaland.
The traditional ruler commented that he had no issue with the Ooni of Ife, accusing bloggers of trying to set him up against Ooni Ogunwusi. At the same time, he kept mum on the 48 hours issued to the Ooni of Ife.
Source: Twitter
Nigerians react to Alaafin's clarification
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has sparked reactions again as he clarified his alleged rift with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Oba Owoade dismissed the fake news as mere rumour while recalling his recent meeting with the Ooni of Ife in Lagos.
The monarchs trended after the Alaafin reportedly gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title he bestowed on a businessman.
Source: Legit.ng
