The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has made a definitive pronouncement on the authority to confer chieftaincy titles across the Yoruba nation. The monarch declared that only the throne of Oyo possesses the legitimate power to install chiefs with titles that bear the name "Yorubaland."
Historical Basis for Oyo's Central Authority
Oba Owoade delivered this clarification on Sunday, December 22, 2024, during a significant installation ceremony at the Aganju Forecourt of the Aafin Oyo. The event saw Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari installed as the Obaloyin of Yorubaland and Barrister Seyi Tinubu as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
The Alaafin explained that his statement was rooted in centuries of history, not a desire for controversy. He emphasized that chieftaincy in Yoruba culture is a serious responsibility with deep historical, structural, and authoritative foundations. The Oyo throne, he noted, historically served as the central coordinating authority for the Yoruba people, a role recognized before, during, and after colonial rule.
Colonial Records and Judicial Backing
The monarch provided concrete historical evidence to support his claim. He cited that by 1914, the Oyo Province was the largest in Southern Nigeria, covering over 14,000 square miles. This vast territory included present-day Oyo, parts of Ondo, Ogun, Kwara, and areas bordering the former French Dahomey.
Because titles bearing the "Yorubaland" name are collective and represent the entire ethnic group, the Alaafin argued they must be conferred by an authority whose influence is equally widespread. He stated that this position is supported by colonial documents, post-independence councils, scholarly works, and even Supreme Court rulings in Nigeria, all affirming the Oyo throne's unique coordinating role for Yorubaland matters.
A Clarification to Preserve Order
Oba Owoade stressed that his clarification was intended to preserve order, tradition, and respect for established boundaries within Yoruba culture. While all Yoruba thrones are sacred, he explained they are not equal in function, with the Alaafin historically occupying a central role in the collective political life of the people.
He charged the newly installed titleholders, Senator Yari and Barrister Tinubu, to see their honours as positions of immense trust. He urged them to demonstrate loyalty, courage, humility, and service, using their new platforms to promote unity, dignity, and the collective good of all Yorubaland.
The installation of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, was notably hailed by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN). The group described it as a major cultural and leadership honour and urged him to use the position to deepen youth engagement and promote interfaith harmony.
