Diaspora Kings: Yoruba Obas rise against Oba Akinruntan

The Yoruba Obas Forum, YOF, the umbrella body of over 200 traditional rulers in Nigeria’s South West and North Central geo-political zones of Nigeria (comprising of Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos Kogi, Kwara States respectively), has told Oba (Dr) Frederick Obateru Akniruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo in Ondo State, to revoke his recent installation of some persons as diaspora Yoruba Obas or face their wrath.

The Forum, in a press statement, Tuesday, fumed at Oba Akinruntan’s action, describing it as an unwarranted affront against the Yoruba traditional institution and a sacrilegious assault against Yoruba history.

They, therefore, urged all Yoruba, their leaders and political authorities to disregard the “diaspora kings” and treat them as “outcasts”.

Pointedly, they said they would encourage the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, to invoke the wrath of Eledumare (the Almighty) against the recipients, should Oba Akinruntan remain recalcitrant.

Below is the full text of the press release:

RE: ENDORSEMENT AND CORONATION OF YORUBA DIASPORAN KINGS BY OBA (DR) FREDRIICK OBATERU AKINRUNTAN, OLUGBO OF UGBO, ONDO STATE 

Those who cannot be angry at evil, lacks enthusiasm for good. And there is an age-long Yoruba proverb that says Agba kii wa loja ki ori omotuntun wo.

The attention of the Yoruba Obas Forum, the umbrella body of over 200 Obas in the South West and North Central regions of Nigeria (comprising of Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos Kogi, Kwara States of Nigeria), has been drawn to the recent illegal, unwarranted and unprecedented endorsement and installation of certain persons as Oba Yoruba of Liberia, Oba Yoruba of Republic of Ireland and Oba Yoruba of Atlanta, Oba Akile of Dallas by Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Ondo State.

It is apposite to state categorically that the Yoruba Obas Forum strongly and vehemently reject this sacrilegious endorsement and purported installation which is not only illegal but alien to the Yoruba custom and tradition.

We, unequivocally and without fear of contradiction, state that the purported installation is an affront to Yoruba tradition and a desecration of Yoruba custom and tradition. It must be made crystal clear that OBA AKINRUNTAN does not possess such power under any guise to endorse, install, or crown anyone as Yoruba Oba outside his domain.

Consequent upon the above, the purported installation and coronation is, therefore, declared ultra vires, illegal, void and of no effect whatsoever and cannot stand the test of time.

We, as a body, hereby disassociate ourselves from this illegal and caricature installation; and we consider it as abominable and highly condemnable act.

We hereby call on His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to cause a discreet and holistic investigation meted with decisive action against him and to call the Olugbo of Ugbo to order and compel him to rescind his illegal action, so as to prevent future occurrence.

We will equally like the concerned Embassies in Nigeria, as well as the general public, to take notice of our stand.

We also call on our highly revered monarchs, the OONIRISHA and IKU BABA YEYE, THE ALAAFIN OF OYO, to take a decisive administrative action against these people as well as to take immediate visible steps, traditionally, to invoke the wrath of ELEDUMARE on all the perpetrators and their cohorts known and unknown.

Consequently, we hereby call on OBA OBATERU AKINRUNTAN to immediately reverse the purported installation with a public apology.

All authentic Yoruba Obas are hereby requested to ensure that none of these illegally crowned fake Obas must be permitted to dress, talk, assume or act like Obas anywhere on Nigeria soil; and if they do not retrace their illegal steps, they should be considered outcast in all parts of Yorubaland and by all Yoruba indigenes worldwide.

A word is enough for the wise.

Long live Yoruba Obas Forum!

Long live Yoruba Land!!

Long live Nigeria!!!