Currently, there is an ongoing debate and battle of supremacy between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, over which throne is the monarchical seat of power in Yorubaland and the origin of Oduduwa, the so-called progenitor of Yoruba people.
Oba Akinruntan also attacked the Ooni of Ife for describing Moremi Ajasoro as a heroine.
The Ugbo monarch disagreed with the Ooni, who described Moremi as a goddess and recently built a 42-foot statue in her honour.
To the Ondo monarch, Moremi was a traitor who betrayed her husband, Osangangan Obamakin.
But in a swift reaction, the Ife monarch said Olugbo did not have deep knowledge of Yoruba history.
The Olugbo, in a statement issued by the Olugbo-in-Council, said, “We, the Olugbo–in–Council, found such (Ooni’s remarks about Moremi) unguarded statements and historical fallacy disturbing, particularly when such emanated from a monarch who is expected to be a custodian of history, customs and traditions of Yorubaland. We hereby state categorically that we are Ugbos, the aboriginal settlers and owners of Ile-Ife.
“Our forefathers descended from heaven, that is why we are called ‘Ugbo Atorunwo.’ We are not Ibos (Igbos), who are from the South-East, and who have their own clearly researched and defined ancestry. To set the record straight, Moremi remains a traitor. She was a slave captured by Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids on Ile-Ife. She later became the wife of Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, of who was the paramount ruler of over 13 aboriginal communities of ancient Ugbomokun, which later came to be called Ile Ife.”
The statement said further, “Oduduwa came to Ugbomokun as a stranger and was welcomed in Ilero, the aboriginal palace of Osangangan Obamakin, which is still in existence in present-day Iremo, in Ile Ife. During the dynastic struggles, Osangangan Obamakin was directed by the oracles (Ifa and Osanyin) to leave Ile Ife. Moremi betrayed her husband’s trust when she exposed the secret of the Ugbo warriors’ gallantry.”
“Popular history states that Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Ooni, migrated from the East/Mecca. In another account by the Oba of Benin, recently, Oduduwa came from Benin. We ask that the Ooni should confirm his ancestral roots. It is also of importance to note that in the ancient custom of Yoruba, an incumbent king must have no living father. Also, no man from a female lineage of a ruling house is qualified to sit on the throne.”
But Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, said the Ooni would not dignify the Olugbo with an answer because he was more focused on achieving unity among all Yoruba people and would not allow himself to be distracted.
The Ooni insisted that Moremi was a heroine, who deserved accolade because of the role she played in the liberation of Ife people from some “faceless terrorists.”
He said, “This outburst of Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious people. How on earth could a Yoruba king refer to Moremi as a traitor because she used her power as a woman to liberate her people from incessant invasions by some faceless terrorists?
“Most paramount on the mind of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, with the unflinching support of the Alaafin, baba; the Awujale; the Alake; the Orangun; the Deji; the Ewi; the Osemawe; the Olubadan; the Oba of Lagos; and other relevant peace-loving monarchs in Yorubaland and in other parts of the country is and remains the much-needed progress of Yoruba nation which can only be achieved through peace and unity.
“It is a pity that at this time when everybody is tired of retrogressive royal discord, the Olugbo, who claims to be the Chairman of Yoruba Obas Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, has suddenly without a deep knowledge of Yoruba history, woken up to see royal controversy as the only tool for cheap publicity.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Worldwide humans are advancing course of humanity by inventing machines and systems to aid developments,only thing this so called community heads can do is argue over what role a lady played in God knows how long ago.How would this help lives of people living in that community.This guys needs to get a grip of reality and hardship people are going through and stop this childish public outburst
ReplyDeleteIf Ugbos, are the aboriginal settlers and owners of Ile-Ife, why capture Moremi by Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids on Ile-Ife? From your above statement I disagree here. Also, Moremi as a slave has the right to betray your Osangangan Obamakin. After all she must look out for her own people. Didn't Osangangan consult Ifa and Osanyin before taking a slave as wife?
ReplyDeleteFinally, Ooni said she's a heroine, you are saying she's goddess, so goddess can be made a slave and the marry her. All your above story dose not tally even without knowing history.
i hope people in general, and Kings in particular,should always think seriously about the any comments they make.and the consequences of what their comments might mean to the domain of their reign. we have had enough trouble in past 20years, since Ilaje benefactor, King E.L Ogunfeyimi, The Ajigbade of Ugbonla died. i don't think arguments about the staus of Moremi will anyone one any good. Obas should think how they can improve living conditions of subjects; rather than woffling on about what is right or wrong.
ReplyDeletei hope people in general, and Kings in particular,should always think seriously about any comments they make.and the consequences of what their comments might mean to the domain of their reign. we have had enough trouble in past 20years, since Ilaje benefactor, King E.L Ogunfeyimi, The Ajigbade of Ugbonla died. i don't think arguments about the staus of Moremi will do anyone one any good. Obas should think how they can improve living conditions of subjects; rather than woffling on about what is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteMUMU argument from MUMU people
ReplyDeleteSir matosky, u even cap lock ur mumu...very funny. Its shows your frustration and background. Try forgive and move on...nobody can hold anybody down.
DeleteOBA OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MY KING AND HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HISTORY,HE GOT TO THE THRONE THRU THE BACK DOOR BY DETHRONING KING BANJO SO PLS ALL YORUBAS,NIGERIANS AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE SHOULD PLS DISREGARD EVERY COMMENT FROM HIS PALACE... NOTE THIS “This outburst of Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious people. I AM AN ILAJE MAN FROM ONDO STATE IF OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MAN ENOUGH WHY IS HE LIVING IN IBADAN AND NOT WITHIN HIS DOMAIN
ReplyDeleteOBA OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MY KING AND HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HISTORY,HE GOT TO THE THRONE THRU THE BACK DOOR BY DETHRONING KING BANJO SO PLS ALL YORUBAS,NIGERIANS AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE SHOULD PLS DISREGARD EVERY COMMENT FROM HIS PALACE... NOTE THIS “This outburst of Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious people. I AM AN ILAJE MAN FROM ONDO STATE IF OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MAN ENOUGH WHY IS HE LIVING IN IBADAN AND NOT WITHIN HIS DOMAIN
ReplyDeleteOBA OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MY KING AND HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HISTORY,HE GOT TO THE THRONE THRU THE BACK DOOR BY DETHRONING KING BANJO SO PLS ALL YORUBAS,NIGERIANS AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE SHOULD PLS DISREGARD EVERY COMMENT FROM HIS PALACE... NOTE THIS “This outburst of Olugbo can only be viewed by well-meaning people as a pitiable act of absurdity that doesn’t deserve serious attention by serious people. I AM AN ILAJE MAN FROM ONDO STATE IF OBAT AKINRUNTA IS MAN ENOUGH WHY IS HE LIVING IN IBADAN AND NOT WITHIN HIS DOMAIN
ReplyDelete