Alaafin: It is time to embrace unity, OPC Reformed tells Oyo princes, princesses

The princes and princesses of Oyo kingdom have been advised to embrace unity at this period and avoid anything that will cause disaffection among them especially when issues of selecting a new king is being decided.

The pan Yoruba defence group, Oodua Peoples’ Congress Reformed, OPC(R), gave this advice in its commiseration message to the ruling houses in Oyo on the transition of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo kingdom.

Speaking on behalf of the group, its national president, Ambasador Dare Adesope, stated that unity is the most needed tool now, adding that “this is why we want to implore our royal princes and princesses to be united at this period.

“The southwest politicians too should also thread carefully especially in the area of choosing the next Alaafin, they should not indulge in any manoeuvering but allow the supreme being to have his way.”

According to Adesope, “it is well known that the Alaafin’s throne represents the only direct surviving symbol of the sacred royal Atiba of Oduduwa dynasty today in Yoruba Land, after terrible destructions of other Sacred Atiba Royal heritage extensions by European colonial imperialistic.”

He added that “the news of the death of the great monarch came as a rude shock to us all as untill his death, he was our grand patron but we take solace in the fact that he lived a good life, a royal life well spent with much regality befitting the important throne in Yoruba land.

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“Oyo, the Yoruba nation and indeed, Nigeria may not have the privilege of another great Alaafin like Oba Lamidi Adeyemi because he was the most valid authority that links us to Yoruba history, arts and artefacts, custom, culture and tradition.

“Although Kabiyesi, is no longer with us having joined his ancestors, which is the spirit world from the Yoruba cultural worldview, spending 52 years on Oyo Atiba sacred throne is not a joke; so we believe Oba Lamidi Olayiwola’s spirit will definitely continue to be around us, as he shall be resting in peace with our ancestors.

“We call on the Oyomesi to think Yoruba first while choosing a candidate that will fill the royal stool, they should note that Oyo is an established Yoruba seat, we are looking forward to a well read king who is also vast in knowledge of culture and tradition to mount that throne.”

He reiterated that the OPC(R) will continue to defend Yoruba states from enemies and will never desist from doing so.