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Supremacy battle among Yoruba monarchs deepens disunity and weakens cultural institutions
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Gani Adams urges unity, warns rivalries threaten Yorubaland’s development and cohesion
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Calls on political leaders, elders to mediate disputes and restore collective voice
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has raised the alarm over a growing supremacy battle among Yoruba traditional rulers, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Yoruba unity, cultural heritage, and socio-economic development.
Adams spoke on Thursday at the 2026 Oodua Festival held at the Enuwa Palace Square, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he cautioned that rising rivalries among monarchs could weaken the historic role of traditional institutions in governance and identity preservation.
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According to him, disunity among Yoruba monarchs has reached an alarming level, driven largely by personal rivalries and political interference, rather than collective interest.
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He urged traditional rulers to abandon supremacy contests and instead speak with one voice for the progress of Yorubaland and the South-West, stressing that unity remains the foundation for peace, stability, and development.
Adams warned that unresolved conflicts within royal institutions could open the door to external manipulation and undermine the collective strength of Yoruba leadership structures.
He also appealed to political leaders, elders, and thought leaders across the region to intervene and mediate ongoing disputes among monarchs, noting that cooperation among traditional rulers is crucial for regional stability.
Representing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, used the occasion to call on Osun indigenes in the diaspora to partner with the state government in revitalising tourism sites, saying government efforts alone were insufficient.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, urged South-West governors to support Adams’ initiatives aimed at curbing criminal activities and sustaining peace across Yorubaland.
Concerns over divisions among Yoruba traditional rulers have intensified in recent months. In August 2025, a public dispute between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, followed the conferment of the Okanlomo of Oodua title on businessman Dotun Sanusi, a development that sparked widespread controversy.
Adams warned that such disputes, if left unresolved, could have far-reaching consequences for Yoruba unity, governance, and development, stressing that mutual respect and collaboration among monarchs are essential for safeguarding the future of the Yoruba people.
The Oodua Festival, which celebrates Yoruba culture and heritage, provided a platform for renewed calls for unity and reaffirmed the central role of traditional rulers in promoting peace and development amid rising tensions.