Monarchs’ unity: Alaafin commends Ooni of Ife on reconciliatory efforts

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has commended the initiative of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on his genuine efforts to reconcile all traditional rulers across the country, with emphasis on the Yoruba monarchs.

Penpushing reports that, Alaafin gave the commendation in his speech at the 5th Coronation Anniversary of Ooni at the public lecture packaged by Oduduwa Descendants, and sponsored by the Odus Group of Companies, with Penpushing as the official media partner  held at Premier Hotel, Mokola Ibadan,Oyo State State Capital

‘I should express with maximum delight that although Kabiyesi ascended the throne at a relatively young age, he came with the mind of an adult notwithstanding. It is on this note that I recall his peace initiative to some of the Royal Palaces in Yoruba land. That initiative can only be understood against the backdrop of acrimony that erupted during the reign of his predecessor in office’,Adeyemi emphasised.

The royal father said he was happy to be at the occasion of the fifth year anniversary of ascending the exalted throne of the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11,adding that his fervent prayer is that God will endow him with the strength for long life.

‘My fervent prayer is that just like yesterday, the Almighty God will endow him with the strength for long life and same divine benevolence which some of us enjoy and are still enjoying on the throne’.

‘I can only appeal to Kabiyesi to be unrelenting in his peace option endeavour. In this regard, I will advise that you put more emphasis on unity among Yoruba Obas, rather than national Traditional Rulers unity adventure’, he said.

Penpushing reports that, this is because the statusquo for traditional rulers in the country from the colonial days had been the preservation of the culture of particular area you represent, stressing that, ‘we should understand that there is nothing national about traditional rulership in the country. Unlike elective political office which has a unified process of emergence, that cannot be said of traditional rulership.

‘While it is true that in terms of governance and service to the people, Traditional rulership is political, however, it is not partisan. In that respect, my advice to my fellow traditional rulership is that we should always resist executive overwhelming including intimidation for us to be partisan. This is because that kind of situation will undermine the ‘father of all’s status on us’.

The monarch pointed out that,all these fights or clamour for seniority among Obas can best be described as politicians’ divide and rule tactics to keep Yoruba Obas disunited for their selfish benefits.

Penpushing also reports that, Adeyemi noted that,unfortunately, this divides and rule tactics of politicians cut across all tiers of government and in recent time, it had extended to the federal level.

‘Against the backdrop of the present situation in the country, the need for unity in Yoruba land can never be over emphasized. That underscores the imperativeness of unity among Obas so that we can talk with one voice in form of advice and counsel to our political leaders in responding to national issues’.

The royal father stated that,in this situation, he recalled the 1967 Yoruba Elders Conference in Ibadan at the instance of General Adeyinka Adebayo as Military Governor of the old Western State.

Penpushing further reports that, Adeyemi said,it was with one voice that both traditional and political leaders unanimously chose the political legend, Chief Obafemi Awolowo as leader and spokesman of the Yoruba in ensuing national crisis.

‘We are now in near similar situation and Yoruba should not be found wanting. In similar situation, in the past, Yoruba had never been found wanting. It was with that cohesion of purpose that Yoruba was able to expand and extend its territorial influence to major parts of West Africa’, he addded.

‘It was also with same unity of purpose that Yoruba was able to intervene in territorial skirmishes in some parts of West Africa up to Ashante Kingdom.I cannot but recall the famous battle of Atakpame in 1764’, Adeyemi recalled.

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