Oladotun Hassan, President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, has defended the spiritual supremacy of the Ooni of Ife, describing his authority as global and revered across Yorubaland.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, Hassan said: “Ooni’s authority is a global authority. That is why we call Ooni, Onirisha.”
Speaking on the ongoing supremacy crisis between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, Hassan insisted that Oyo historically owes its existence to Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.
He explained: “Oyo and every other town in Yoruba are an extension of Ile-Ife, because every prince left Ile-Ife with their crown, with the caveat of never to wage war against Ile-Ife. So, meaning, however the authority of Alaafin is, it still holds Ile-Ife as a cradle and source of the Yoruba race, and these facts are unbreakable facts.”
Hassan also urged unity among Yoruba leaders, stressing that peace could only be achieved when the Ooni and Alaafin work together harmoniously.
“From the stable of the Ooni of Ife, or Ọọ̀ni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja, the Ooni of Ife, is a referred father, is a spiritual head of the entire Yoruba race.
“By virtue of definition, we can say the Ooni is the president of the Yoruba race, while Alaafin is the prime minister, because they all have concurrent duties to play for the Yoruba race.”
He warned that attempts to undermine the Ooni’s spiritual role were causing division within Yorubaland, adding that agent provocateurs must be called to order.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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