“Focus on Protecting Yoruba Land, Not Rotational Chairmanship” — Sunday Igboho

Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on traditional rulers in Yorubaland to set aside personal rivalries and prioritise the security of their communities.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Igboho described the ongoing dispute between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, over the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas as ill-timed and counterproductive.

He said, “Focus on protecting Yoruba land, not rotational chairmanship. Why should our royal fathers dissipate energy on positions when bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements have taken over our forests in the South West, considering the recent ignoble killings of guards in Old Oyo National Park and other parts of Oyo State?”

The activist stressed that traditional rulers have a duty to safeguard their subjects and promote peace, rather than being distracted by power tussles.

“It is critical for traditional rulers, irrespective of hierarchy, to close ranks in protecting Yoruba’s territorial integrity against ravaging insecurity, foster unity, and healthy developments in the collective interest of the South West,” Igboho added.

He also urged other Yoruba leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, to intervene and help defuse tensions surrounding the permanent chairmanship of the council.

According to Igboho, monarchs should serve as agents of cohesion, harmony, and economic growth. “When your subjects, most especially farmers in rural communities, are being gruesomely murdered, it is not ideal to promote disputes over ephemeral positions,” he said.