Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has said his first 20 years on the throne was rough and full of turbulence.
Oba Adeyemi spoke during a visit to Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, in his palace on Friday.
The royal father commended Oba Akanbi’s courage despite many distractions he faced.
“I commend Oluwo for his courage, tenacity, and zeal in standing tall despite enormous distractions stage-managed by his few subjects.
“I had tougher experience in the first 20 years of my reign, very rough and turbulent. It is what Yoruba will call “Ojumo kan, Ogun kan – one day, one war,” Alaafin said.
Speaking further, Alaafin also said Iwo town should have been made the capital of Osun State owing to its traditional, political, and religious sagacity.
A statement by Alli Ibraheem, the Chief Press Secretary to Oluwo, further noted that Oba Adeyemi, while responding to a charge by Oba Akanbi on him to unite monarchs in Yorubaland, said “the bridge of peace in Yorubaland was affected through the infiltration into the institution by politicians of the old Oyo Empire.
“The challenge from every quarter, as it equally comes from Oluwo is a challenge to rise to that occasion and do the much needful without retraction.”
Speaking earlier, Oba Akanbi lamented the disunity among traditional rulers in Yoruba land.
Oluwo said, “Yoruba traditional institution is porous, one without unity and lacking the strength to protect and secure Yorubaland.
“It is disheartening there was no formidable central Council of Obas that will state appeal and command, where necessary, most especially as it relates to the recent destruction that accompanied the recent #EndSARS protest in the South-West.
Unity is not only our strength but (it) is also a green light to the security and hope of Yorubaland and her generations. I want to charge and appeal to the respected Alaafin of Oyo to use his traditional paraphernalia and stronghold to bring out an olive branch and unite actors in the council.”
