The ongoing controversy surrounding the recent conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title has taken a deeper cultural turn, as Prince Afeez Siyanbola Ladigbolu, a respected royal figure within the Oyo Kingdom, issued a strong and articulate rejoinder to the derogatory comments made by Mr. Moses Olafare, spokesperson to the Ooni of Ife.
Prince Siyanbola Kolade Oladigbolu, grandson of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abubakar Siyanbola Oladigbolu, who reigned as Alaafin of Oyo from 1911 to 1944.
Describing Alaafin’s position as “an empty threat from a dead empire,” Olafare’s words have drawn widespread criticism from Yoruba traditionalists and scholars alike. Prince Siyanbola, responding with characteristic calm and cultural depth, stated:
“No matter how diligent a driver may be, he remains a servant of the household—not a bearer of its lineage. You may sit close to royalty, you may speak on behalf of royalty, but that does not make you royalty. We must all understand our place in history, and more importantly, respect it.”
Disrespect to a Throne Is Disrespect to the People
Prince Siyanbola condemned “reckless public utterances” from individuals who lack the mandate to distort sacred tradition. He noted that attacking the Alaafin’s stool with such contempt is not just a personal insult but an affront to an entire cultural institution with centuries of established imperial relevance.
“The Alaafin is not a man; he is an institution. His stool is not built on personality but on an uninterrupted continuum of history, diplomacy, and cultural guardianship that dates back to the classical Yoruba empire,” Siyanbola said.
Further cementing his deep-rooted connection to the Oyo royal institution, Prince Oladigbolu is also the great-grandson of Oba Muhammad Lawal Akanbi Agogo-Ija, Alaafin of Oyo from 1905 to 1911, tracing his lineage to these two revered monarchs, emphasised that defending the throne is not only a matter of loyalty but also a responsibility to safeguard the centuries-old heritage and traditions of the Oyo monarchy.
He cautioned against a growing trend of media aides and proxies attempting to weaponize social media and public sentiment to trivialize tradition. According to him, history is not built in Instagram captions and WhatsApp broadcasts but in ancestral stewardship and legally recognized authority.
Oyo Empire: Far From Dead
Responding to Olafare’s “dead empire” remark, Prince Siyanbola emphasized that the Oyo Empire’s legacy remains alive and relevant, not only in cultural history but also in the structure of traditional rulership across Yorubaland today.
“If the Oyo Empire is dead, then the structure upon which modern Yoruba chieftaincy is built is equally in ruins. But we know that’s not the case. Alaafin’s stool has produced Obas, established territories, and sustained a system that predates colonial administration,” he said.
“Empires don’t die, they evolve. The bones of history are buried in Oyo. Those who speak of its death expose only their ignorance.”
He also reminded the public that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in multiple rulings, has recognized the exclusive territorial right of the Alaafin of Oyo to confer chieftaincy titles bearing “of Yorubaland.” Thus, the demand for withdrawal of the title was not personal, but legal, cultural, and procedural.
He noted that historical precedent has consistently affirmed the centrality of the Oyo throne, explaining that even during periods of political or social tension, the authority of the Alaafin remained a unifying factor for the Yoruba people.
A Call for Cultural Responsibility
Prince Siyanbola further expressed concern over what he described as “the dangerous rise of cultural opportunism,” where chieftaincy titles are awarded to curry favor or seek public applause, often without regard for ancestral structure.
“Let us not reduce our sacred institutions to popularity contests. There are titles of the palace, and there are titles of the street. The difference lies in the history behind them,” he said.
He clarified that the Alaafin’s stance is not an attack on the Ooni’s person or palace, but a call for order, accountability, and the preservation of cultural truth.
“The Ooni of Ife, by all Yoruba historical accounts, holds a revered spiritual role. The Alaafin holds the imperial mandate. These are complementary, not competitive. But when aides, in their ignorance or ambition, blur these lines, they invite unnecessary conflict.”
On the Oore of Moba’s Statement
Addressing the comments made by the Oore of Otun-Ekiti denying the conferment of the Okanlomo title by the Ooni, Siyanbola welcomed the clarification but warned against the subtle attempt to delegitimize the Alaafin’s rightful concern.
“The Oore’s clarification is noted. However, our question remains: if the title was not conferred, then why the initial uproar? Why the silence from the Ooni’s camp until now? And why the inflammatory response from his spokesperson?” he asked.
He added that leadership requires consistency, clarity, and calm not evasion and media warfare.
Conclusion: Let Tradition Be Guided by Truth
In his final remarks, Prince Siyanbola urged Yoruba monarchs and their aides to approach cultural matters with maturity, responsibility, and knowledge of history.
“It is not supremacy we seek, but accuracy. Every stool has its place. But if we allow the noise of aides to overshadow the wisdom of crowns, we risk losing the sacred compass left to us by our ancestors.”
“Tradition is not a trend. It is a trust,” he concluded.
As tensions simmer, one thing is clear: the dignity of Yoruba traditional institutions must be upheld not just by kings, but by those who speak in their name.
Prince Siyanbola concluded.
