Oluwo laments disunity among Yoruba monarchs

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, yesterday hosted the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Iku Baba Yeye, in his Iwo palace.

While welcoming the Alafin, Oba Akanbi condemned the disunity in Yoruba traditional institution, calling on the Alaafin to engineer a process of reunification so as to protect the rich, respected heritage of Yoruba.

He described Alaafin as a foremost traditional ruler not only in Yorubaland but also in Nigeria, saying his words and actions are needed this critical time of challenge in the institution.

Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in his reaction, affirmed disunity in Yoruba traditional council, saying this was invited by political infiltration into the rank of the council by politicians of the old Oyo Empire. He, however, assured Oluwo to handle the assignment with all his utmost traditional strength.

Oba Adeyemi commended Oluwo for his tenacity despite numerous distractions, saying his first 20years on the throne as Alaafin was turbulent and rough, even than Oluwo’s case.

“Yoruba traditional institution is porous, one without unity and lacking the strength to protect and secure Yorubaland. It is disheartening there was no formidable central council of Obas to issue statement of appeal and command where necessary most especially as it relates to the recent destruction that accompanied the #EndSARS Protest in the South Western Nigeria.”

“Our unity is not only strength but also green light to the security, protective and progressive hope of Yorubaland and her generations. I want to charge and appeal to the respected Alaafin of Oyo to use his traditional paraphernalia and stronghold to bring out olive branch branch and unite actors in the council.”