Alaafin condemns fisticuffs between Yoruba monarchs

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN – Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi  has described as desecration of Yoruba culture and tradition for Obas to engage in public brawl.

He advised monarchs and other traditional rulers in Yorubaland to stop engaging in open combat to sustain the good image of the traditional institution in the zone.

Alaafin was reacting to a recent brawl between two monarchs, Olu of Itori, Oba Akorede Akano and Baale Lapeleke, Adisa Akinremi in Ogun State.

Oba Adeyemi recalled how similar brawl broke out three years ago between Onigboho of Igboho, Oba John Oyetola Bolarinwa and his counterpart from Igbope during a traditional meeting at Oorelope Local Government area in Igboho, Oyo State.

Alaafin, who was speaking at 2012 Igbope Day celebration and N250m Development Fund-raising added that it was a taboo in Yoruba-land for any traditional ruler to involve himself in physical combat.

He said: “It is a desecration of the Yoruba culture and tradition for Obas to engage in public brawl”.

He went down the memory lane that “in 1909, the British government praised the ingenuity of the Yorubas and their rich culture and tradition as exemplified by the cabinet system of government which was in place then; why do we have to bastardize it now”? he wondered.

On the controversy between Igboho and Igbope, Oba Adeyemi said:  “Igbope is a separate and independ- ent town, never at anytime under Igboho.

According to him, the battle had been on for about 37 years ago before Onigbope recently won the case in the court. He advised the two communities to give peace a chance.