ABEOKUTA—The
Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has
maintained his stand on the ranking of Yoruba Obas, pledging to release
evidence to back his claims. The Alake who spoke through his Special Adviser on
media Affairs, Chief Lai Labode said he does not want to engage in controversy
with anyone.
The
Paramount ruler had on Saturday stirred the hornet’s nest, declaring that the
Ooni of Ife remained the highest in the ranking of Yoruba Obas. The Alake who
also identified ego as the cause of disunity among traditional rulers and
people of Yoruba extraction, said the Ife monarch is the highest of the five
principal Obas in Yorubaland. Oba Gbadebo said this while receiving the Ooni of
Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in his Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State palace.
The Alake who had listed the other
Obas below the Ooni to include the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oba of Benin coming
second and third, respectively, in that order.
He also listed his own title, the Alake of Egbaland as the fourth while the Awujale of Ijebuland occupies the lowest rung of ladder. The Alake said, “Ooni is one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland. The others are in order of the way they are classified on supremacy basis. After the Ooni is the Alaafin. After the Alaafin, the Oba of Benin. After the Oba of Benin, it comes to the Alake of Egbaland and the fifth and by no means the last or the least, the Awujale of Ijebuland.’’
Although, the paramount ruler was said to be unavailable to clear some issues relating to his claim, his aide disclosed that the monarch had sent an evidence to support his claim through his private secretary who was not available as at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona could not be reached as his Personal Assistant, simply identified as Toyin requested for a letter of interview before Awujale before he could talk to the press.
The Awujale aide said the monarch was ready to speak with media provided that a letter of request for interview is sent to him.
He also listed his own title, the Alake of Egbaland as the fourth while the Awujale of Ijebuland occupies the lowest rung of ladder. The Alake said, “Ooni is one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland. The others are in order of the way they are classified on supremacy basis. After the Ooni is the Alaafin. After the Alaafin, the Oba of Benin. After the Oba of Benin, it comes to the Alake of Egbaland and the fifth and by no means the last or the least, the Awujale of Ijebuland.’’
Although, the paramount ruler was said to be unavailable to clear some issues relating to his claim, his aide disclosed that the monarch had sent an evidence to support his claim through his private secretary who was not available as at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona could not be reached as his Personal Assistant, simply identified as Toyin requested for a letter of interview before Awujale before he could talk to the press.
The Awujale aide said the monarch was ready to speak with media provided that a letter of request for interview is sent to him.
Ooni
not in supremacy battle with anyone.
Meantime, as the controversy over the ranking
of traditional rulers in Yorubaland continued yesterday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said he would not want to be drawn into supremacy
battle with any traditional ruler in the country. Oba Ogunwusi reiterated his
desire for a more united Yoruba race and peaceful Nigeria.
The Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the kingdom (Traditional Head), Chief David Edebiri had on Monday said the Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo goofed when he said the Oba of Benin was third in the hierarchy of Obas. He explained that the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin, adding that the stool of the Oba of Benin could not be compared with that of any Yoruba king. But when contacted to comment on the statement credited to the palace of Oba of Benin, the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace Moses Olafare said the only thing that was paramount to Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi now remains the need to foster unity and healthy development among the Yorubas and the entire nation. His words: “Let me emphasize for the umpteen time that kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo, he’s only interest for now on the sacred throne of Oduduwa is to explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.
The Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the kingdom (Traditional Head), Chief David Edebiri had on Monday said the Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo goofed when he said the Oba of Benin was third in the hierarchy of Obas. He explained that the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin, adding that the stool of the Oba of Benin could not be compared with that of any Yoruba king. But when contacted to comment on the statement credited to the palace of Oba of Benin, the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace Moses Olafare said the only thing that was paramount to Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi now remains the need to foster unity and healthy development among the Yorubas and the entire nation. His words: “Let me emphasize for the umpteen time that kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo, he’s only interest for now on the sacred throne of Oduduwa is to explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.
“This informed his resolve to build bridges of
harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how Yoruba ethnic group
can restore its glory and pride position among other ethnic inclinations in
Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with
anybody.”
by By Daud Olatunji
by By Daud Olatunji
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