The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, has called on supporters of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, to halt the ongoing media comments fuelling the controversy over the presumed installation of Chief Dotun Sanusi as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
In a statement on Wednesday, Oba Alao, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, urged all Yoruba sons and daughters across the world to avoid emotional outbursts that could drag the thrones of the Ooni and Alaafin in the mud.
The monarch revealed that he had consulted with both leading monarchs and confirmed that they were both interested in unity and peace in Yorubaland and not in perpetuating the controversy.
Oba Alao described the controversy as “unnecessary” and “speculative,” emphasising that the Ooni and Alaafin are not engaged in a supremacy battle. He appealed for calm and urged the public to stop media comments that were unnecessarily dragging the issue.
The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon also highlighted the importance of upholding the Yoruba culture of unity, peace, kindness, respect for others, and honour for obas, warning that allowing social media content creators to debase Yoruba monarchs would be detrimental to the culture.
The statement concluded with an appeal to uphold the Omoluabi ethos and preserve the sanctity of the thrones of Yoruba monarchs, which represent the totality of who they are as a people.
