By Femi Obembe –
The recent controversies surrounding the actions of Oba Owoade since his ascension to the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo call for sober reflection among all well‑meaning Yoruba people.
I write not merely as a son of the soil, but as someone who deeply loves our Yoruba nation — a people blessed with intellect, culture, and divine purpose.
Over the course of Nigeria’s history, our people have often found ourselves at the center of political rivalry, suspicion, and resistance from various power blocs.
These tensions have not always come from ordinary citizens of other groups, but from political interests that feel threatened by Yoruba advancement, unity, and intellectual strength.
From the political undermining of our leaders, to the suspicion that often greets our progress, to the negative narratives that portray Yoruba assertiveness as a threat, we have repeatedly seen how external actors exploit internal disagreements to weaken our cohesion.
These patterns have shaped our collective consciousness and remind us that our progress has often been met with resistance, not because we seek domination, but because our intellectual and democratic strength challenges entrenched interests.
From the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, our Yoruba nation distinguished itself through education, visionary leadership, and progressive governance. Awolowo’s commitment to free and qualitative education produced generations of thinkers, professionals, and innovators who elevated our region and contributed immensely to Nigeria and the world.
While some regions pursued power through military dominance, we chose the path of knowledge. History has shown that education remains the most sustainable route to empowerment.
Even today, despite Nigeria’s widespread economic challenges, the Southwest remains one of the least impoverished regions — a testament to the foresight of our past leaders and the value our people place on learning and development. Yet, our history is also marked by painful attempts to halt our progress.
The political crisis between Chief Awolowo and Chief Akintola opened the door for external forces to disrupt the remarkable development of the Western Region. The declaration of a state of emergency, the imprisonment of Awolowo, and the derailment of our governance structure were bitter chapters in our story.
Years later, the annulment of the June 12 election — widely regarded as the freest in Nigeria’s history — and the tragic death of Chief MKO Abiola deepened our wounds.
Today, another son of Yoruba land occupies the highest office in the nation, and while many observers describe current reforms as steps toward long‑term stability, we are once again witnessing rising political tensions and ethnic suspicions reminiscent of earlier eras.
This is why unity and vigilance are essential for us at this moment. We Yoruba have always been a people guided by wisdom, strategy, and intellectual strength.
Our progress has sometimes been misunderstood or resisted by those who fear losing influence, and internal division has historically provided the opening for external manipulation.
The emerging tensions around the question of supremacy among Yoruba Obas — particularly the assertive posture of the current Alaafin — should therefore concern all who value peace and cohesion in Yorubaland.
The tragic story of how Ilorin became an emirate remains a timeless warning: when internal disagreements are allowed to fester, outsiders will always find a way to exploit them.
This is a time for our elders, traditional rulers, scholars, and political leaders to intervene decisively. We cannot afford internal rivalry that weakens our collective strength or exposes us to unnecessary conflict.
Our traditional institutions must remain symbols of unity, not instruments of division. Any attempt by any leader — traditional or political — to impose supremacy in a way that destabilizes our region must be addressed with wisdom, firmness, and a deep sense of responsibility to our heritage.
Yoruba Ronu. Let us think deeply.
Femi Obembe is a Public Policy/Public Affairs Analyst.
