A professor of Intercultural Communications at Northwestern University, Minnesota, USA, Professor Matthew Amusan, has declared that the Ooni of Ife is the supreme traditional ruler in Yoruba land.
According to him, historical evidence supports this claim, and even the Alaafin of Oyo has acknowledged the Ooni’s supremacy in the past.
Historical Context
In an interview on Splash 105.5FM’s Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto show, Amusan explained that the Oyo empire was destroyed by Fulani warriors in 1790, and the Oyo people lost their military prowess, which was then transferred to Ibadan.
“If Oyo is claiming military prowess, then Ibadan should be the one making the claim now. The power that Alaafin is claiming has been gone since 1790. The Ooni of Ife is the supreme traditional ruler in Yoruba land,” he added.
Alaafin’s Acknowledgement
Amusan cited a specific incident in 1989 when the Alaafin of Oyo, Adeyemi, acknowledged the Ooni’s supremacy. During a visit by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida to Oyo State, the Alaafin created a gap to allow the Ooni to stand next to the Military Governor, demonstrating his recognition of the Ooni’s superior status.
Supremacy Battle
On the trending supremacy battle between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, Amusan noted that Alaafin Adeyemi was the only Alaafin to contest supremacy with the Ooni, and there is no record of any other Alaafin doing so. “The Ooni of Ife is the supreme traditional ruler in Yoruba land,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Amusan’s statement is likely to fuel the ongoing debate on traditional supremacy in Yorubaland. His assertion that the Ooni of Ife is the supreme traditional ruler is based on historical evidence and past events, which he believes demonstrate the Ooni’s superior status.
