The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade has asserted that his stool remains the foremost in Yorubaland, citing historical treaties with the British colonial authorities.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said the colonial government had recognised the Alaafin as “the superior head of the Yoruba Nation” when it signed the Treaty of Cessation with Oyo.
“Oyo rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire, the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities,” the statement read.
“The British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the treaty with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation,” it added.
Oba Owoade also vowed to continue to defend Yoruba tradition, saying he had sworn to his ancestors “to add glamour to Yoruba heritage” and would not engage in supremacy battles with other monarchs.
The declaration follows renewed tensions with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, who at the weekend conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of the 2geda media networking platform in Ibadan.
