Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has appealed to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to set aside the ongoing chairmanship dispute within the Oyo State Council of Obas and focus on addressing insecurity in the South West.
Igboho made the call following tensions triggered by the decision of Governor Seyi Makinde to introduce a rotational chairmanship arrangement involving the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso, with Oba Ladoja named as current chairman.
In a statement, Igboho described the disagreement as unnecessary at a time when criminal activities had worsened across the region, particularly in forest reserves and rural communities.
He urged traditional rulers to unite in confronting banditry, terrorism and violent crimes, citing recent attacks and killings in parts of Oyo State, including areas around the Old Oyo National Park.
The activist also called on other Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, to help ease tensions and promote unity among the royal fathers.
Meanwhile, the Egbe Omo Oyo Niiwa Nitooto rejected the rotational chairmanship policy, insisting that the historical primacy of the Alaafin of Oyo remained sacrosanct and non negotiable.
In a related development, the Olubadan of Ibadanland urged Nigerians to be more security conscious, stressing that insecurity required collective vigilance beyond government efforts.
