Oba Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, stated on Thursday that he is not fighting for dominance with any monarch in Yorubaland or anyplace in the universe.
This information was disclosed in a statement issued in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
The new feud between the Alaafin, Oba Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, began last Monday when the Alaafin objected to the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on a businessman, Dotun Sanusi, during the weekend unveiling of an indigenous social media network-2geda, at the Ilaji Hotel in Ibadan.
The statement explained that Alaafin is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects at all times. It added that the monarch relied heavily on the will and wishes of his subjects.
Durojaiye said he (Alaafin) would never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge.
He said the monarch operates a government that is judged by its result, as prosperity, security and well-being of the people dictated his popularity both in the palace and in the empire at large.
The statement reads in part, “Why Alaafin does not 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 in the end are those whose success is the result of 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 greatest 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 custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people 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 various gods like Ifa, Sango etc to be the direct representative of these deities on earth.”
The sun
