Ladoja: Supporters, Not Monarchs, Behind Yoruba Supremacy Tussles

The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has attributed recurring supremacy disputes among Yoruba monarchs to their followers rather than the traditional rulers themselves.

Oba Ladoja made the remark on Thursday at his Bodija residence in Ibadan while receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He dismissed the notion of a rivalry between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, insisting that it is supporters who stoke divisions by clinging to conflicting historical accounts.

“I have always maintained that neither the Ooni nor the Alaafin is the cause of disunity. Their supporters, in trying to defend different historical narratives, end up creating unnecessary conflict. They forget that history can be subjective,” the Olubadan-designate said.

Urging unity among the Yoruba, Oba Ladoja cautioned against dwelling on divisive historical debates.

“The Alaafin cannot leave Oyo to rule in Ile-Ife, just as the Ooni cannot leave Ile-Ife to rule in Oyo. Every monarch has his own domain,” he stressed.

Drawing a comparison with international relations, he likened the matter to Britain’s colonial ties with the United States.

“The history their supporters refer to is like Britain colonising America — it belongs to the past. Today, if America sneezes, Britain catches a cold,” he added.

Reflecting on Ibadan’s historical significance, the Olubadan-designate noted: “Without Ibadan’s role, many Yoruba monarchs might have ended up with titles such as ‘Emir’. Our focus should be on modernising Ibadanland and sustaining the legacy of the Ibadan Empire, not just holding on to history.”

In his remarks, Oba Alao congratulated Ladoja on his emergence as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, describing it as a milestone for Ibadan, Oyo State, and Nigeria at large.