The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, has made a statement that may rekindle the fire of controversy over the hierarchy of royal fathers in Yoruba land.
“Alaafin is the supreme king in Yoruba land. Historically, yes I am. Alaafin is number one”, he stated an interview with broadcaster Edmund Obilo on State Affairs.
The assertion, according to him is not a show of interest in competing for supremacy with other traditional rulers, but going by historical significance of hs domain.
He said the old Oyo Empire made outstanding contributions to Yoruba civilization, even as the Alaafin stool occupied a prominent position in the political structure of the old Oyo Empire.
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Alaafin is the supreme king in Yoruba land. Historically, yes I am. Alaafin is number one” he stated categorically in response to a question along that line.
“I don’t fight for supremacy or whatever with anybody.
“But all I know is that historically, if you want to go by history and then the contribution of Yoruba civilisation, then I would say that Alaafin is number one.”
“I wouldn’t say the Oyo Empire fell. The Oyo Empire started in the 14th century, dated back to 1340-something, and it reigned until around the 18th century”, adding that rather than falling that what happened was that its power The Alaafin has last August, demanded a public retraction and apology from Professor Ademola Dasylva over claims that the monarch arrived three hours late at the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba studies.
In a statement issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Palace described the professor’s remarks as inaccurate and recless and that it portray the monarch as arriving late at the inauguration held at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
According to the statement, the Palace had informed the university in advance that the Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, would be travelling with other paramount traditional rulers from outside Oyo State.
It explained that the university was notified that the royal entourage could not arrive before noon or 1:00 p.m., adding that the information was conveyed in good faith to enable the organisers to make appropriate arrangements.
“For the records, the original schedule proposed by the university indicated 11:00 a.m. as the time for His Imperial Majesty’s arrival.
“However, before the commencement of the event, the Director of Administration of the Alaafin’s Palace formally communicated that the Alaafin would be arriving with other paramount Obas travelling from outside Oyo State.
“This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning. To therefore feign surprise and launch into public castigation is either a wilful disregard of facts or a deliberate act of provocation.
“The Palace does not move in isolation. When the Alaafin moves, he moves with the dignity of Oyo, with the council, and often in concert with other crowns. To expect an imperial procession to conform to a timetable designed without full consultation is to misunderstand both monarchy and courtesy.
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“The honourable and scholarly path would have been to inquire from the organisers before rushing to the marketplace of public opinion with insults. A professor of repute is expected to embody circumspection, research and restraint.
“We therefore demand retraction and apology for remarks made without due consultation and in disregard of prior communication from the Palace.
“The Alaafin did not come late. He came according to schedule, as duly communicated. To say otherwise is to bear false witness,” the statement said.
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