By : Ayo Mojoyin
The recent statement attributed to the Ooni of Ife, describing the Oyo Empire as “dead,” has generated concern across Yorubaland. With due respect to His Imperial Majesty, such a comment is most unfortunate and should be withdrawn in the interest of peace, mutual respect, and the unity of the Yoruba people.
The Yoruba traditional institution is revered across the world for its depth, cultural heritage, and historical influence. Each royal stool – whether that of the Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebu, or others – carries a unique legacy that should be celebrated rather than ridiculed. Words spoken by monarchs hold immense weight, and must therefore be guided by wisdom and foresight.
If there are issues to be addressed between the Ooni and the Alaafin, they should be handled privately, through dialogue and traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms. Public statements that cast aspersions on an entire lineage or empire only sow seeds of division, diminish our shared history, and give outsiders the wrong impression of Yoruba leadership.
It must be remembered that both the Ooni and the Alaafin hold significant positions in Yoruba history. The Ooni of Ife is revered as the custodian of our spiritual cradle, while the Alaafin of Oyo is celebrated as the political and military powerhouse of the old Oyo Empire. These roles complement one another and together form the backbone of Yoruba civilization.
We all know the antecedents of our royal fathers, their emergence, and their contributions to the growth of Yoruba culture. It is therefore needless – and potentially damaging – to attempt to diminish one stool in order to elevate another. The unity of the Yoruba race should remain paramount above every personal or institutional disagreement.
For the sake of posterity, dignity of our heritage, and the younger generation looking up to our traditional rulers for guidance, the Ooni is respectfully urged to retract the statement and reaffirm his commitment to Yoruba unity. Our forefathers bequeathed us a legacy of strength and resilience; it is our collective responsibility to protect it.
