The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Wednesday, denied reports of a supremacy battle with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, or with any other monarch in or outside Yorubaland, explaining that the rumors are unfounded and meant to stir unnecessary rivalry among traditional rulers.

Amid growing public speculation, the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, issued a statement on Thursday clarifying the monarch’s position. The statement followed reactions to the Alaafin’s recent criticism of the Ooni of Ife’s decision to confer a chieftaincy title on businessman Dotun Sanusi. Sanusi was named the Okanlomo of Oduwa by the Ooni during the launch of a local social media platform held in Ibadan last weekend.

However, Oba Owoade clarified that his remarks were not driven by rivalry, but by his responsibility to uphold and safeguard the culture, values, and traditions of the Yoruba people.

“He is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition,” the statement read. “The Alaafin has always prioritized the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise the tradition, culture, or development of his people for a pot of porridge.”

“He does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe,” the statement added, describing Oba Owoade as a monarch who blends humility with royalty and carries the sacred responsibility of being a representative of the Yoruba deities on earth.

The statement also recalled the Alaafin’s spiritual initiation into the mysteries of Yoruba gods such as Ifa and Sango, and his covenant at the sacred Yoruba shrine to uphold the legacy of the ancestors.

In reflecting on the historical legacy of the Oyo Empire, the palace emphasized its emergence as the most powerful Yoruba kingdom, founded by Oranmiyan, the grandson of the revered progenitor, Oduduwa. It noted that the empire rose to prominence through a combination of trade, military strength, and cultural advancement.

The palace further cited historical documents demonstrating that British colonial authorities recognized the Alaafin as the supreme leader of the Yoruba nation by signing the Treaty of Cession with him an action that underscores the legitimacy and lasting authority of the Oyo royal lineage.

“The basic concept of government in Oyo has always been monarchy, built around a strict adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and the paternal line,” the statement noted.

Oba Owoade’s administration, it added, remains deeply rooted in the protection of Yoruba customs and governance principles that have guided the people for centuries.