Alleged rivalry with Ooni of Ife; Alaafin of Oyo speaks again
Alleged rivalry with Ooni of Ife; Alaafin of Oyo speaks again
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has dismissed reports of a rivalry with fellow traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
In a statement released on Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch emphasised that his primary focus is on the well-being and development of his people, not on a supremacy battle with any other king.
The clarification follows recent media speculation about a rift between the two prominent Yoruba rulers.
The rumours were fueled by the Ooni’s recent conferment of the “Okanlomo of Oduwa” title on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of the indigenous social media platform, 2geda, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.
The statement reads: “The Alaafin does not need to engage in any battle for supremacy with any Oba, whether in Yorubaland or elsewhere.”
The statement further described the monarch as a “steadfast custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition” whose reign is guided by the prosperity of his people.
Oba Owoade reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the cultural heritage of Oyo and the entire Yoruba nation.
He stated that his administration would remain dedicated to fostering unity, peace, and progress among his subjects.
