Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has called on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, to work together to tackle insecurity in the South West and drive the region’s development agenda.
The call comes amid tensions over the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas, following Governor Seyi Makinde’s appointment of Oba Ladoja as the new chairman. Under the new arrangement, the permanent chairmanship is set to rotate among the Olubadan, the Alaafin, and the Soun of Ogbomoso.
In a statement aimed at dousing the rising tension among traditional rulers, Igboho criticized the dispute, describing it as “unimpressive” for leaders whose positions are central to Yoruba history. He urged the monarchs to focus on pressing challenges, including banditry and terrorism, which have plagued forests and rural communities across the South West.
“Why should our royal fathers dissipate energy on positions when bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements have taken over our forests, considering the recent killings of guards in Old Oyo National Park and other parts of the state?” Igboho said.
He further called on other Yoruba leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, to help ease tensions surrounding the council’s chairmanship.
According to Igboho, “Traditional rulers should continue to be agents of cohesiveness, harmony, and economic growth. When your subjects, especially farmers in rural communities, are being gruesomely murdered, it is not ideal to promote dispute over ephemeral positions.”
He stressed that historic empires have evolved into modern traditional institutions without compromising historical truths, urging the monarchs to prioritize unity, security, and sustainable development for the South West.
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