The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has affirmed that the traditional rulers in Yorubaland and beyond would continue to protect the Alaaafin of Oyo that indicates their historical relevance.
Oba Alao made the submission while receiving the historical visit, the Alaafin de Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade and his Ayaba Abiwumi Owoade in his Oril-Igbon palace, Ile-Ile-Igbon on Monday.
The monarch, while promising his support for the throne, described Alaaafin's feces as number one and more powerful.
According to him, “the story is sacrosantic. Tradition is sacrosales. Culture is sacrosanating. There is no way that it is the way you want to paint it, despite the fact that the world is dynamic today, the world is not static.
“But at the same time, our story remains an indelible part of our life. And very, very sacrosanct. I have told many people in many forums that Alaaafin de Oyo is a stool that goes beyond the state of Oyo.
“Yoruba is approaching. It is a stool that is so venerated. And for us, even in the state of Oyo, it is the most powerful stool, that we all recognize.
“The state government knows it. He will remember when the governor went to the newly Alaaafin during his coronation, he said. He said that the Alaaafin stool will do everything possible to make sure that the long history and culture that Alaaafin exercised will remain sacrosanct and will always protect him.
“And he also said that I quote it, he said that the stool goes beyond the state of Oyo and that the Yoruba land crosses and throughout Nigeria. So the Alaaafin stool is not a stool that someone would take for granted.
“The story is there from the previous road to the Empire of Oyo, it had existed. And it is a stool that we all appreciate, we all hug, and we all love. And that's why you see us, we are always close to it to protect the stool.
On the call of the Council of Obas and Chiefs of the State of Oyo, Oba Alao said that it would be implemented before the end of the mandate of Governor Seyi Makinde.
He said the governor would constitute the Council for effective and optimal performance.
“The government is working on it. I believe vehemently in the government of Governor Seyi Makindei. He is my boss, he is my friend and we have even discussed privately on this issue.
“He meant well. All he wants is, he wants the stool, the Obas Council, to begin to work again. He has been inactive in recent years many years ago. So, he wanted to say well. So, you know, in the process of putting together things, there will be some problems. And those problems, we have discussed it, and we are working on it.
“I am behind the government. I suppose what they are doing. And at the end of the day, we will do things well, and it will go well.
“I think that, before the end of the Makinde administration, the Obas Council will begin to sit down, and everyone will be happy. We will all live peacefully, as traditional rulers,” he added.
Previously in his comments during the brief visit, the Alaaafin that was accompanied by other traditional rulers requested support from the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, of his subjects.
According to him, Olugbon has been of tremendous support for Alaafin de Oyo. We have had private and public discussions on how to agree on a deserved recognition to the Obas Council.