Ooni storms Alaafin’s coronation with Hundreds of Osun monarchs, Sultan of Sokoto

,The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II—who also serves as President of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC)—stormed the historic city of Oyo on Saturday, accompanied by over a hundred traditional rulers from within and outside Osun State. They were present to grace the official coronation ceremony of the new Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, Elewu Etu I.

Oba Owoade was appointed and presented with the staff of office by the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, in January 2025, following a selection process guided by the Ifa Oracle.

In his maiden royal speech, the newly crowned Alaafin urged the people of Oyo to shun vendetta, persecution, and acrimony, describing such actions as “ill winds that blow no good.” He emphasised peace and communal unity, noting that they are essential for human capital development and infrastructural progress.

Speaking to the press, Ooni Ogunwusi congratulated the new Alaafin, the Oyomesi, and the people of Oyo, while urging all former contenders for the throne to join forces with Oba Owoade for the kingdom’s growth. He assured the Alaafin of the full backing of monarchs across Yorubaland and Nigeria, stating that leadership is a collective task.

“The new Alaafin was predestined to rule. Chosen by Olodumare through Ifa divination, he has emerged from among many princes. Now is the time for magnanimity and inclusive leadership in developing this culturally rich city,” the Ooni stated.

Governor Makinde, in his address, reaffirmed the legitimacy of Oba Owoade’s selection, referencing his approval on 10 January and the formal staff-of-office presentation on 13 January 2025. “To those still in doubt, I present to the world the new Alaafin of Oyo,” he declared.

*Notable monarchs who accompanied the Ooni included:* 

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Ayotunde Olabomi JP

The Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi Adediran

The Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Adeseun Ibiloye

The Alawo of Awon, Oba Taiwo Ajibade Adegboye

The Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Kehinde Oladepo JP

The Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunola Oni

The Adooko of Idooko, Oba Michael Adedeji

The Olomo of Omo Ijesa, Oba Michael Adeolu Adejola

The Olomu of Ijaregbe, Oba Edward Adebayo

The Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesa, Oba Amos Ogunolu

The Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ogunwole

The Afaaji of Faaji, Oba Moshood Olaleke

The Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Habeeb Agbaje

The Akure of Ikire-Ile, Oba Azeez Olatunbosun

The Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Bello Adeyemi

The Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Isaac Oyewole Oyediran

The Oluwo-Oke of Iwo-Oke, Oba Olatunde Adediran

The Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin

The Olona of Ada, Oba Oyetunde Ojo

The Alasaba of Asaba, Oba Ezekiel Oyewusi

The Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura

Dignitaries in attendance included Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), and Honourable Akeem Adeyemi (“Skimeh”), among others.

Also present were the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo, the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.

Hawa Lawal