Ambassador Albert G.P. Omotayo, MFR, former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, addressed the ongoing supremacy dispute between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo.
Highlighting the limited roles of monarchs in contemporary Nigeria, Omotayo explained that their influence is ceremonial rather than political.
He stressed: “We must understand that there is a world of different influence and power. No Oba has power. All they have is influence. The Oni or the Alaafin can wake up and say, I want to see the president. He has a right. He will be welcome. But informally and legally, there is nothing any Oba can do.”
Omotayo clarified that the Yoruba empire no longer exists and warned against reviving historical power struggles.
He stated: “It is true that there was a Yoruba empire. The territory of a Yoruba empire spanned up to Yoruba 150. Nigeria, Togo, Benin. It’s a large expanse, but that is a long time ago. The Yoruba empire ended about two centuries ago. So, for anybody to be bringing what ended over centuries ago as if it is currently, is unnecessary.”
Omotayo further emphasised that Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni and Alaafin, no longer wield political authority over other territories.
He said: “The Alaafin and the Ooni, neither of them has political power. None of them can rule beyond his territory, beyond Ife. I can’t see Ooni of Ife going to Ekiti and telling them what they have to do. Neither can Alaafin leave that place, leave where he is and go to Ibadan or go to Oshogbo. None of them has any political power.”
Omotayo concluded by urging stakeholders to prioritise unity instead of engaging in supremacy battles, noting that the current crisis was unnecessary and harmful to Yoruba cohesion.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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