Oba Sir Stephen Adegboyega Alabi, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, who is also a journalist, PR consultant, legal practitioner, law lecturer, and sports administrator, in an interview with The Nigerian Tribune, reflected on his one year on the throne, shared his thoughts on the controversies surrounding the Obaship institution in Yorubaland.
When he was commenting on the renewed supremacy tussle between the Ooni and the Alaafin, he said there was no need for any controversy between the two traditional rulers.
He explained that while there had once been an Oyo Empire with its capital in Katunga, it had not covered areas such as Ekiti, Ijesa, Egba, Ijebu, and Ondo. He stressed that every Yoruba kingdom traced its history to Ife and not to Oyo, noting that the Ooni had always been regarded as supreme.
He further explained that Ife was not just a kingdom but the source of all Yoruba history, and therefore there was no basis for the claims made by the new Alaafin. He advised the Alaafin to focus on enduring issues rather than dwell on what he described as illusions.
He said, “There’s really no need for any controversy between the Ooni and Alaafin.
“There was an Oyo Empire which had its capital in Katunga and didn’t cover Ekiti, Ijesa, Egba, Ijebu, Ondo, etc.
“Every Yoruba kingdom traces its history to Ife. No one traces its history to Oyo. The Ooni has always been supreme.
“Ife isn’t a kingdom. Ife is the Source.
“So, there’s no issue to the effusions of the new Alaafin.
“I would advise him to concentrate on enduring issues, rather than dwell on illusion.”
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