The Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has reacted to the renewed clash between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
According to him, it is an issue between two fathers but he has initiated moves to resolve it.
The latest disquiet came when the Alaafin asked the Ooni to rescind the decision to confer on businessman Dotun Sanusi the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, giving him 48 hours.
The Ooni has called the Alaafin’s bluff, even as there is a claim that Sanusi was made the Okanlomo Oodua.
As the argument rages, Adams said on Tuesday: “It is an issue between two fathers. I have been calling Yoruba leaders to look for a way to resolve it. We don’t want the unity of the Yoruba land to be tampered with now.
“I will be in touch with the two fathers. I will talk to them, but I have talked to some of the Yoruba leaders that we should weigh in on the issue. Before I became Aare Onakakanfo, I had been very, very close to the palace of Ooni. At the same time, I was very close to the late Alaafin.
“So I see them as two fathers. Anything that happens between your two fathers, you must look for a way to resolve it amicably. We don’t want to open our old wounds in public.”
Acknowledging the resolution of the crisis is long overdue, Iba Adams said it was expedient for the leaders to intervene to ensure that all issues between the Obas are amicably resolved.
Rallying the need for intervention of all relevant Yoruba leaders, Adams expressed optimism that the impasse between the two monarchs would be resolved in no distant time.
Adams said, “It’s an issue that will be resolved by the Yoruba leaders soon. Our political figures have a role to play, too.
“Apart from the individual leaders in social culture, our political leaders have a role to play, and our real fathers have a role to play. We know that the issue has been lingering for a long time. But in the long run, I believe it will be resolved soon.”
The Yoruba Council of Elders urged restraint from the royal fathers to avert further action contrary to the Omoluabi ethos.
