Cat and mouse allegory is the apt metaphor to capture relationship between the immediate past Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse and the immediate past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi. The duo were often at each other’s throat, leaving concerned Yoruba people to scratch their heads whenever the two traditional rulers would have a cause to share podium at public functions.
At the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal in 2008, the Alaafin publicly differed with the Ooni on the history of Ede and Laminisa ruling house. Before then in 1991, the Alaafin had played a stumbling block to the Ooni’s desire to confer on the then National Chairman of the defunct National Republicans Party (NRC), Chief Tom Ikimi the Akinrogun of Yorubaland title.
In his book, “The Alaafin of Oyo: Power of Courage and Conviction” , a compendium which he published in 2018 commemorative of his 80th birthday, Oba Adeyemi revealed how on March 4, 1991, he petitioned Oyo State Military Governor, Colonel AbdulKareem Adisa and highlighted why the Ooni lacked the authority to install Ikimi the Akinrogun of Yorubaland. Adisa would promptly convey a meeting of traditional rulers, after which he on March 7, 1991 stopped the occasion.
That no love lost subsisted until few years to the demise of Oba Olubuse on July 28, 2015. Oba Adeyemi confided in our correspondent that the truce was at the instance of the Ooni, who spoke to him on the need to both seek a genuine reconciliation, a proposal, he said, he didn’t not only welcome but also promoted.
The reigning Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who ascended to the throne on October 26, 2015, inherited that acclaimed harmony and built upon it till Oba Adeyemi also joined his forebears on April 22, 2022 in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. Aside his historic visit to Oyo in January 2016, Oba Ogunwusi also paid a touching tribute to the Alaafin whom he described as an iconic traditional ruler.
“We have lost a great icon, a great monarch who saw Oyo through civilization and modern development without jettisoning the cultural sacredness of the throne first occupied by Alaafin Oranmiyan,” the Ooni said in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
Ooni revealed that he worked collaboratively with the Alaafin whom he emphasised “gave his best in resolving major conflicts in Yoruba land and uniting all sons and daughters of Oduduwa globally among other landmark achievements.”
He added, “The late Alaafin is one of the privileged elders who contributed to the growth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also saw the country through military and democratic eras with unquantifiable positive inputs.”
The Ooni was also in Oyo at the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade on April 5 seated closely with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
However, suspicion of a strained relationship emerged when two videos were alleged to have fired a salvo to the Ooni’s Palace over the title of head of all Yoruba traditional rulers and the Ooni’s link with Oyotunji village in the US. This development met a reprisal in another video which raised an allegation that on the directive of the Alaafin, father of the monarch of Oyotunji was humiliated in Oyo, an act seen as a negative message to Ile-Ife and also a build up to another round of rivalry and polarisation of Yoruba royal fathers at a time they are said to unite against the invading insecurity.
However, the Alaafin has issued a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Bode Durojaiye, declaring that at no time did he order any of his aides to assault anyone, also clarifying that he is not in supremacy battle with the Ooni.
Durojaiye said Oba Owoade is “more concerned about the progress development of his country home and emancipation of the entire Yoruba race.”
In any case, a media strategist and public affairs analyst, Omoba Adewale Olayemi is worried about the new alarm, insisting that it is needless and a potential inhibition to critical issues holding the legs of Yoruba progress and development.
“A situation where the foremost Obas in Yorubaland are at daggers drawn will only promote bitterness, rancour and division. Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Alaafin Akeem Owoade must find common grounds to work together in the interest of the Yoruba people at home and the Diaspora. There is strength in unity of purpose. And that is why our forebears said, “Anikan rin lo nje omo ejo niya. Ti Oka ba siwaju ti Sebe tele, tani yoo duro,” he preached.
Also, a veteran journalist and public affairs analyst, Mr Kester Olaifa opines that no reason exists to have the two royal fathers in the ring, explaining further that the Ooni and Alaafin are like father and son.
“The Ooni as the father, being the Arole Oduduwa, the Progenitor of the Yoruba race and the Alaafin of Oyo, in this instance, Oranmiyan, being a grandson of Oduduwa. At some point in life, it is not a strange thing for a child to acquire so much wealth and power,” he noted.
The Ikoro-Ekiti man rose against the continuous use of Imperial Majesty by traditional rulers in Nigeria on the premise that no monarch is entitled to the qualifier after colonial government had eroded their political power from 1914 when the Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated by Mr Frederick Lugard, the Governor-General who ruled from 1914 to 1919.
“Therefore, what is expected from the two great Yoruba monarchs is mutual love and respect so as to avert unnecessary supremacy bickerings always stoked by idle bootlickers,” he admonished.
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