
“YORUBA MONARCHS FEUD: TRADITIONALISTS CLAIM ALAAFIN, OONI UNDER SPELL”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Traditional Religion Worshippers Association in Osun State has attributed the ongoing feud between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, to a possible spell. The association’s president, Oluseyi Atanda, believes that the monarchs’ frequent clashes may be due to supernatural forces at play.
Traditionalists’ Intervention:
– Rituals for Peace: The association plans to perform rituals to settle the disputes between the two monarchs and restore peace in Yorubaland.
– Sacrifices for Peace: Ifa priest, Ifayemi Elebuibon, revealed that traditionalists have been offering sacrifices to promote peace and harmony in the region.
– Divine Intervention: The traditionalists’ efforts aim to bring an end to the hostilities and promote unity among the Yoruba monarchs
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Background to the Feud:
– Title Dispute: The feud began when the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oodua on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
– Ultimatum: The Alaafin gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to revoke the title or face consequences, citing his authority as a traditional ruler.
– Ooni’s Response: The Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, advised the Alaafin’s media aide to ignore the outburst and leave the matter to public opinion .
The TRWA President, Atanda, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, expressed concern over the outbursts of the two monarchs, warning their aides to exercise utmost caution.
Atanda, who is a gynaecologist, described as unfortunate a situation where the two revered monarchs, who identified with the traditional religion, are embroiled in such a petty quarrel.
According to Atanda, “The two monarchs are traditionalists. We are from the same father. What could have caused the fight? May we not be under spell in Yorubaland. What is happening could be a spell from some people who don’t want the Yoruba race to unite.
“What is happening can turn into a serious crisis; before you know it, some Yoruba monarchs will be queuing behind Alaafin and others will align with Ooni, and there will be a crisis.”
Asked if he meant that Alaafin and Ooni were under a spell, Atanda said, “It can be a spell. What is the reason for the quarrel? Both kings are wealthy, influential and exposed.”
Also, Elebuibon described the renewed feud between Ooni and Alaafin as needless, advising them to rather channel their energy, intellect and financial prowess to the development of Yorubaland, rather than dissipating energy and resources on needless supremacy battle.
The internationally renowned Ifa priest and babalawo, described as embarrassing the current situation in which two monarchs representing the Yoruba race across the world, are fighting a supremacy battle.
Elebuibon, who is also the Araba of Osogbo said, “We are trying to resolve a matter, but somebody is frustrating the efforts (a n je ekuru k’tan, enikan tun gbonwo re s’awo). I wasn’t expecting what is happening. The two monarchs are cool-headed; they are frontline Yoruba monarchs representing the race across the world. If the two of them are exchanging words, it is a disgrace to every Yoruba.
“What should be paramount to them should be the development of the Yoruba race, not a supremacy battle. What are we going to gain from a supremacy battle? Some people are fanning the ember of discord, but the two monarchs should be above board. Criminals from other races are killing our people and trying to occupy our land, yet what we have is a supremacy battle from our monarchs. That shouldn’t be. God will settle everything. We are praying and offering sacrifices.”
Last Monday’s outbursts marked the second clash between the Oyo and Ife monarchs this year.
Earlier in March, the two First Class rulers had clashed over the control of Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States, following the murder of the village leader, Adejuyigbe Adefunmi.
Ooni had sent a team of monarchs to Oyotunji to perform traditional rites after Adefunmi’s murder.
But Oba Owoade, who was in seclusion at the time, allegedly called one of the traditional rulers sent to the village and demanded that they vacate the community, claiming it was Oyo’s territory.
Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Friday, declined to comment on the next step the Alaafin would take after the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum he gave to the Ooni.
The Alaafin ultimatum to the Ooni lapsed since Wednesday.
Asked if Oba Owoade would sue the Ooni for refusing to revoke the chieftaincy title, the spokesperson said, “I am under instruction not to talk to anyone on this matter again. I can only tell you that prominent Yoruba leaders both within and outside the country have intervened. That it is.”
When asked about the content of the Supreme Court judgment he referred to in his earlier statement, the Alaafin’s spokesperson said, “You will read it by yourself when we release it. Just be patient.”
An insider in the palace told our correspondent that Oba Owoade would not resort to a legal process to force Ooni to revoke the title or assert his supremacy.
The palace source said, “It has not got to that. There is an existing Supreme Court ruling, so instituting another legal process may not be necessary. It is not a fresh issue. It is recurring.
“There are many Yoruba elders who have been calling Kabiesi every day on the matter. The call is too much; appealing that we should allow Yoruba elders to wade in.
“However, the matter is not over. We are going to review and reveal our next step on the matter,” he said.
Another credible source at the palace told our correspondent that the Alaafin had warned his aides against inciting or divisive comments on the matter, and that efforts were on to reconcile the two prominent rulers.
“I can confirm that our elders have intervened and they are making moves to settle the matter at both ends. Talking to the press may jeopardise their efforts,” he stated.
Also, insiders in Ooni’s palace stated that Oba Ogunwusi was at peace and was not ready to take on anybody on the matter.
“They were the ones who issued an ultimatum and they are the ones that know the consequences they want to unleash. They should be asked what their next action will be.
“Honestly, we (Ooni’s palace) don’t want to join issue with anybody on this matter. They have issued a threat and they should tell us what to expect. They are not even remorseful about it. We have left the matter in public opinion. The people should judge.”
Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, declined to comment on the matter.