Ile-Ife, Not Oyo, is Source of Yoruba Kingdoms – Traditional Ruler

The Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba Stephen Alabi, has weighed in on the debate over the supremacy battle between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, stating that every Yoruba kingdom traces its history to Ile-Ife, not Oyo, emphasizing that the Ooni of Ife has consistently been the paramount authority.

Oba Alabi said the Ooni’s position is uncontested among Yoruba royal fathers, and he attributes this to the historical significance of Ile-Ife as the origin of Yoruba kingdoms.

According to a report by Newspeak, the royal father, who spoke to journalists in Ibadan, noted that without any equivocation, Ile-Ife is the root of Yoruba kingdoms, including Oyo.

“No one traces its history to the Oyo Empire. The Alaafin does not command the awe and respect that the Ooni commands from Yoruba royal fathers.

“Ile-Ife is not a kingdom, but the source. So, there is no issue with the effusions of the new Alaafin.

“I will advise him to concentrate on enduring issues, rather than dwell on illusion,” he said.

On calls for constitutional duties for traditional rulers, Oba Alabi proposed transforming the local government system into a town-based framework where development funding can be distributed directly through the towns.

“Instead of the council taking charge of everything and very little getting done, traditional rulers can be given the constitutional role of managing developmental efforts in their kingdoms directly, while the council takes responsibility for policy approval and supervision.

“The traditional rulers become the ones who make up the council, not elected officials, thus eliminating the incessant struggle for control of this level of government in every dispensation,” he stated.