The Oluwo of Iwo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called for urgent review and reform of the Yoruba traditional institution system.
This is just as the foremost traditional ruler also condemned the silence of the graveyard from two foremost traditional rulers in Yorubaland, the duo of Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo on the lingering disunity among Yoruba traditional institutions and the insecurity ravaging the Yoruba nation.
Oba Akanbi said that the Ooni and the Alaafin are vitiating their traditional grip for failing to address the perceived disunity among Yoruba traditional rulers, and the lingering insecurity in Yorubaland.
Oluwo said it is disappointing that such is happening in their time and they could not address the animosity characterizing traditional institution, but rather keep mute while the revered institution is being dragged in the mud.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Ibraheem Ali, the Oluwo said the distasteful development is gradually decimating the leadership grip of Yoruba traditional institution in their possession.
Oba Akanbi further said that the silence if the two foremost Yoruba traditional rulers over the polarization and bashing of the traditional institution under their captaincy could be translated to mean that they were gaining from such.
Oluwo said, “The intervention of the duo could have arrested the recent altercation resulting from crowning of diaspora obas by the Olugbo of Ugboland, but disappointed none of them could boldly speak to protect the traditional institution and be balanced in judgement and that’s why I voice out to that effect.
I’m glad Baba Alaafin has never done this act, but Olugbo was not the first one to commit this act, which should not have been in the first place, because crowns are not for sale or gift.”
He suggested other obas who had done this should be appealed to to politely withdraw the titles in the interest of the traditional institution, warning that “otherwise, monarchs will turn to a cheap compliment, just like birthday gifts.
“Monarchs are recognized by Chiefs’ Laws, anything outside that is null and void.
He said that it was a taboo in the olden days for any chief to insult the crown, adding that it is a security threat.
He said, “No one does that in the olden days and go away with it.
“It amazes me this is happening now and the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo are watching.
He said that many wrongs are surviving under their watch, most especially, schism among traditional rulers and insecurity ravaging the Yoruba nation.
He added, “Unfortunately, they are mute, a sign of contentment. I rise to challenge them and put them on toe to be up to this task.
“The failure of the institution lubricated the intrusion of chief to insult the crown. I think it is a security challenge to the office of Oduduwa that we all represent.
“The Ooni and the Alaafin should halt regular the animosity and secure the race through quality representation and defence of the traditional system.
“The era of warlords and chiefs that used to depose or betray the Alaafin by killing him is gone…we are in modern times now, and we all have powerful chiefs in our domain and they are all under the kings’ watch.
“Adopting such will rejuvenate the institution and secure the grip of the council”
The Oluwo therefore called for the urgent review of the Yoruba traditional system through the formation of Central Council of Yoruba Obas.
Credit: Leadership Newspaper
