The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has clarified that he is not engaged in any rivalry or supremacy contest with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, or with any other traditional ruler outside Yorubaland.

This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Reports of tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni had surfaced earlier in the week after Oba Owoade openly criticized the Ooni’s decision to confer the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of the local social media platform, 2geda, at Ilaji Hotel in Ibadan.

The palace further stressed that Oba Owoade remains committed to preserving Yoruba culture and heritage while safeguarding the welfare, growth, and security of his subjects.

According to Durojaiye, “His Majesty would never sacrifice the values of tradition, culture, or the progress of his people for personal gain.”

The statement reads in part: “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. The history has been so kind and friendly to Alaafin Owoade publicity since he ascended the throne of his forefathers, as he does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe.

“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). 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.

“At the hallowed ground of the Yoruba ancient shrine, 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.

“In politics also, he is concerned about the sanctity of his position, and whatever happens on the welfare of his people. Customs and all traditional practices of today in government, religion and economic life have had distance, and possibly age-long origins which were based on valid and accepted tenets that emerged from the synthesis and aggregated experience of a particular society.

“One of such societies is the ancient city of Oyo, reputed for cultural resources that are of rich non-material and material attributes and transmitted through generations. Moreover, the precepts and concepts of Alaafin’s administration have continued to support and nurture the people’s ancient culture and sophisticated civilisation from time immemorial.

“The basic concept of government was monarchy with a rigid adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and of the paternal line.”