Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, to put aside their differences over positions and unite to confront the rising wave of insecurity and underdevelopment confronting Yorubaland.

Igboho said it was unnecessary and counterproductive for two of the most prominent traditional rulers in the South-West, whose stools are deeply rooted in the historical evolution of the Yoruba people, to dissipate energy on disputes over hierarchy and political relevance at a time when criminal elements have taken over forests and rural communities.

His intervention followed the ongoing controversy surrounding the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs involving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Laoye Ghandi.

Governor Seyi Makinde had, last Thursday, inaugurated the new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the House of Chiefs Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan, following the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the State House of Assembly.

The law provides for a permanent rotational chairmanship among the Olubadan, Alaafin and Soun of Ogbomoso.

However, the inauguration was boycotted by the Alaafin, Oba Owoade, while Oba Ladoja emerged as the inaugural chairman of the council for a two-year term.

The development has since generated controversy, with reports that the Alaafin is considering legal action over the process, which he allegedly claimed was carried out without adequate consultation.

Reacting to the situation in a statement, Igboho appealed to Yoruba leadership, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao; and other traditional rulers, to intervene and douse the rising tension.

According to him, while history and tradition must be respected, the reality of modern governance requires unity of purpose among royal fathers in order to confront contemporary challenges threatening the survival of Yoruba communities.

“Why should our royal fathers dissipate energy on positions when bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements have taken over our forests in the South-West, considering the recent ignoble killings of guards in Old Oyo National Park and other parts of Oyo State?” Igboho asked.

He described insecurity as the most urgent challenge facing the region, noting that farmers in rural communities now live in fear, while economic activities have been crippled by kidnappings, killings and destruction of farmlands.

“It is critical for traditional rulers, irrespective of hierarchy, to close ranks in protecting Yoruba territorial integrity against ravaging insecurity, foster unity and drive development in the collective interest of the South-West,” he said.

Igboho also advised the Alaafin, who is reportedly contemplating legal action, to cooperate with the Oyo State Government in the interest of peace and stability, stressing that disputes over what he described as “ephemeral positions” should not take precedence over the safety and welfare of the people.

“Traditional rulers should continue to be agents of cohesion, harmony and economic growth. When your subjects, most especially farmers in rural communities, are being gruesomely murdered, it is not ideal to promote dispute over positions,” he added.

He maintained that old empires in Yorubaland have given way to modern traditional institutions without distorting historical facts, urging royal fathers to rise above rivalry and personal interests in order to safeguard the future of the Yoruba race.