The Alaafin disclosed this in a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to reports, a fresh battle between the Alaafin, Oba Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, sprang up after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on a businessman, Dotun Sanusi, during the unveiling of an indigenous social media network at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.

The statement stated that Alaafin is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always prioritized the safety and welfare of his subjects at all times, adding that the monarch relied heavily on the will and wishes of his subjects.

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Durojaiye said the Alaafin would never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge.

He said the monarch operates a government that is judged by its result, as prosperity, security and well-being of the people dictated his popularity both in the palace and in the empire at large.

The statement reads in part, “Why Alaafin does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe? These immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell, the most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.

“He (Alaafin) is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge.

“Alaafin combines humility with royalty to meet the modern-day demands. Kabiyesi (the king who no one questions). Iku Baba Yeye (The one who commands death/he who is parent to death). Alashe (He who wields authority). Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-command to the gods). The Alaafin was inducted into the mysteries of various gods like Ifa, Sango etc to be the direct representative of these deities on earth.”

The statement added, “At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, as Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition. Oduduwa’s Principal minister and grandson, Oranmiyan (Because Oduduwa begot Okanbi, (an only child and Okanbi begot Oranmiyan, among others, namely Ila-Orangun, Oni-Sabe, Olu-Popo, Ala-Ketu, Oba-Benin) founded the city of Oyo when prolonged drought struck Ile-Ife as a result of people’s emigration.

“Oyo simply 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. More so, the British, as it was in their tradition, recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.

Source: Punch