THE simmering supremacy battle between the thrones of two paramount rulers in Yorubaland, Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife, seemed to have been resolved yesterday.
The indication emerged when the new Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), became the first Ooni to visit Alaafin in Oyo town of Oyo State in 79 years.
The monarch was historically received by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Apaara, venue of his 45th coronation anniversary thanksgiving.
The atmosphere of the church became electrified when news broke out that the convoy of Oba Ogunwusi had reached Owode in Oyo town, a few metres away to the church. He was accompanied by many traditional rulers.
Oba Ogunwusi, who put on the Ooni trademark attire, shook hands with Oba Adeyemi and the duo sat on the same couch in the church during the service, beaming with scintillating smiles.
Oba Adeyemi, in his remarks thanked God for making it possible for him to clock 45 years on the throne. He noted that the last time an Ooni visited the Alaafin was in 1937.
Alaafin recalled he was close to the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, who the immediate past Oba Okunade Sijuade succeeded, and never disrespected Oba Aderemi. He, however, prayed for longevity for Oba Ogunwusi on the throne.
His words: “The misunderstanding started during the reign of the last Ooni. May your reign be long, Ooni. I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas.”
Also, Oba Ogunwusi, who described Oba Adeyemi as a great monarch, noted that a new dawn has come to Yorubaland.
According to him: “It is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe.”
He ended his speech with a song: ‘Ore la o mase…Awa o ba ti ja wa ooo, ore la o maa se’ (We will continue to be friends).”
Present at the historic event were more than 30 Obas from different parts of Yorubaland. After the thanksgiving service, Oba Adeyemi, Oba Ogunwusi and other kings moved to the Alaafin’s palace, where they had private talks.
When immediate past Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade became king in December 1980, he inherited a dispute over supremacy among the Obas of Yorubaland.
In 1967, a crisis was resolved when Chief Obafemi Awolowo was chosen as leader of the Yoruba. In 1976, governor of old Oyo State, General David Jemibewon (retd), had decreed that the Ooni of Ife would be the permanent chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Other Obas led by the Alaafin said the position should rotate. The dispute calmed when Osun State was carved out of Oyo State in August 1991, but the ill-will persisted.
THE SUN
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