₦airaland Forum

by Nafisat Abdulrahman


Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the leadership of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, saying traditional rulers must adapt to the realities of modern governance and work together for unity and development rather than seeking supremacy.

Ajayi, in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday night, emphasised that the era of empires and territorial dominance among Yoruba monarchies had long passed even as he cited the non-existent dominance of colonialists over their former colonies.

“We are no longer in the era of Oyo Empire. Rome and the United Kingdom that once ruled more than half of the world as empires can no longer claim sovereignty over their former colonies. Times have changed. We are now in a new world,” he wrote.

He further noted that the historical Oyo Empire belongs to the past and that the totality of Yorubaland was never entirely under the rule of the Alaafin of Oyo.

“Oyo Empire now belongs to history, and the whole of what we now know as Yorubaland was never under the rule of the Alaafin. The society will function well if the current natural rulers in Yorubaland understand their roles in modern society,” Ajayi counselled.

The presidential aide urged Yoruba traditional rulers to focus on collaboration rather than rivalry, stressing that their collective effort was key to preserving peace and promoting development.

“Our kings should now work collaboratively to preserve peace, unity, and development in their communities whilst preserving our cultural values,” he advised.

LEADERSHIP reports that Governor Seyi Makinde had on Thursday inaugurated the new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, appointing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the pioneer chairman for a two-year term under a rotational system among Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomosoland.

The governor stated that he reached the decision after consulting the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Soun of Ogbomoso, adding that all three monarchs endorsed the arrangement to rotate the council’s leadership among them.

However, the Alaafin of Oyo, who was absent during the inauguration, later issued a statement denying that he was consulted or that he consented to the rotation of the council’s chairmanship, sparking tension on the implication of the confrontational approach of Alaafin to the Oyo State Government.

reddingtonblack:
So it is not enough politician/govt are now the ones imposing Kings for yorubaland

They should add DG on top the Kings will be answering .. so Agreement is Agreement will ensue so we can kuku finish culture pata pata DG for obas ..over education dey worry people

BlocksNG:
Tinubu the narcotic has been disrespecting monarchs since the days of Pharaoh, somebody in his 90s. Agbaya.

Gotocourt:
Alaafin wey Local Government Chairman go pocket one hand 🤷🏿.

BlocksNG:
Tinubu the narcotic has been disrespecting monarchs since the days of Pharaoh, somebody in his 90s. Agbaya.

Islie:
https://leadership.ng/obas-council-we-are-no-more-in-oyo-empire-tinubus-aide-tells-alaafin/

BlocksNG:
Tinubu the narcotic has been disrespecting monarchs since the days of Pharaoh, somebody in his 90s. Agbaya.

runningriot:
It is very obvious there is division among the traditional rulers in Yoruba land than any other place in Nigeria the power quest and tusle is becoming unbecoming and if this thing is not checkmate these megalomaniac will burn down their town.

Islie:
https://leadership.ng/obas-council-we-are-no-more-in-oyo-empire-tinubus-aide-tells-alaafin/

zoedew:
What talk is this? I guess Tinubu wants to lose Oyo State. I should have thought it was best for him to leave Alaafin and Makinde do their battle and not weigh in on either side and wait to be consulted in seeking a resolution of same. Anyway,, what do I know!💁