By Akinwale Kasali
There have been speculations about supremacy battle between the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeen Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, HRH Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, but the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has warned bloggers, content creators, and social media users against causing disunity between the revered Monarchs.
He said Bloggers were fanning embers of disunity among the Kings alongside other Monarchs in the South-West through their posts and comments on issues of seniority.
The Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Co-founder, gave this warning during his address at the 2025 Oke ‘Badan Festival, held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
Adams said, “I have watched with dismay the recent unnecessary comparison being drawn between the Alaafin of Oyo’s stool and that of the Ooni of Ife, regarding which one is senior to the other, by bloggers and some online media platforms.
“Let me reiterate that both traditional stools and the revered Royal Imperial Majesties occupying them are two of the most prominent Obas in Yorubaland and globally.
“I especially appeal to bloggers across the region and the country not to publish content capable of creating disunity among our traditional rulers and respected traditional institutions.”
He urged content creators to be responsible in their reporting and careful when developing content for their various platforms without inflaming public sentiment.
Speaking on the festival, Adams said, “The Oke-Ibadan Festival is a yearly celebration that honours the founding of Ibadan, the Aboke, and the people of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
“It is a cultural and traditional event where the Ibadan people pay respect to their ancestors, reaffirm their cultural values, and promote unity.
“The name ‘Oke-Ibadan’ translates to ‘Hill of Ibadan,’ referring to the original settlement site on a hill where the city was formed in the 18th century. Though there are various accounts of the origin of ‘Oke Ibadan,’ there is a general agreement that Lagelu, Oro Apata-Maja, who was the founder of Ibadan, established the festival.”
He however urged the Oyo state government to make the hill a tourist destination by raising awareness about its historical and cultural importance.
“The Oke-Ibadan Festival serves as a reminder of the historical background of the Ibadan people and the legacy of their founders. The festival includes honouring the goddess of the hill and acknowledging the role of the city’s founding fathers.
“Oke Ibadan is a formidable and highly historical rock to the Ibadan people. It played a vital role during ancient wars. Ibadan people see the rock as a source of children, wealth, and many other blessings.”
He also urged the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to list the rock as one of the major tourist sites in Yorubaland.
He stated, “The ministry should promote it just like Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Oke Idanre in Ondo, Oke Erinmo in Ilesa, Oke Asabari in Saki, Oke Iyake in Ado-Awaye, Oke Agelu in Oyo State, and many other spiritually significant rocks across the region.”
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