“No other title in Yorubaland superior to Alaafin,” Oluwo reignites controversy

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Oluwo of Iwoland Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi on Tuesday revved up controversies about superiority among kings in Yorubaland as he declared Alaafin of Oyo the foremost monarch in the region.

There have been age-long controversies over who is the foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo.

The controversies was recently revived following the installation of Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo.

Specifically, the controversies over the superiority battle was again ignited following failure of the Oyo monarch to stand up to greet the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at an event hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

However, the Oba Owoade, in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, the Alaafin described reactions to the incident as a deliberate attempt by bloggers and online commentators to sow discord between Yoruba traditional rulers.

He also reaffirmed his deep respect for the Ooni of Ife and all custodians of Yoruba tradition.

The Alaafin added that he remained committed to inter-royal collaboration as a foundation for peace, unity, and progress in Yorubaland.

‘No other title in Yorubaland is superior to the Alaafin’

However, the Oluwo, who has not been on good terms with the Ooni reignited the controversies when he received the new Alaafin Owoade in his palace.

According to Oluwo, the Alaafin title is supreme to all other traditional titles in Yorubaland as it was originally for oduduwa descendants.

“I don’t know any other title in Yorubaland that is superior to the Alaafin. Alaafin will continue to be Alaafin because that is the title that Oramiyan adopted and I will also adopt the saying.

“Henceforth, I will also want to be called Alafin of Iwo, and we will inform the government about it”, the Oluwo said.

He noted that the visit of the Oyo monarch would boost the relationship between the two towns.

He added that with the humility and exposure of Owoade, Oyo would witness peace and unprecedented development.

The Oluwo also condemned the use of media by some monarchs to malign their peers.

“Kings must support each other; any king sponsoring media attacks against fellow monarchs must desist immediately.”

In response, Owoade said that he came to Iwo to thank the Oluwo for attending his coronation ceremony in April.

He also noted that Oluwo called to congratulate him when his name was announced as the Alaafin-elect.

“I came to see Oluwo because he was at my coronation ceremony in April.

“Even when my name was mentioned as Alaafin-elect, Oluwo called to congratulate me. It is also good to come around to pay him a courtesy visit”, he said.

Owoade added that Oyo and Iwo had been enjoying a good relationship for years, said such relationship would continue.

“Iwo and Oyo have been enjoying a good relationship for years, even with my predecessor, and I want that relationship to continue”, Owoade said.

Alaafin also appealed to other traditional rulers in Iwo to continue to work with Oluwo with an open mind.

He said they should also continue to support and cooperate with the traditional ruler for the development of the town.

Recall that there have been cold war between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife over who is the foremost Oba in Yorubaland.