The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has stated that he is the only traditional ruler with the authority to confer chieftaincy titles bearing the name “Yorubaland”
The monarch made the assertion on Sunday at the Aganju Forecourt of the Oyo Palace during the installation of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari, as Obaloyin of Yorubaland, and Seyi Tinubu as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
Owoade said chieftaincy in Yoruba tradition is neither ornamental nor granted as a favour, but a serious responsibility rooted in history, authority and service.
According to him, the Oyo throne has historically functioned as a central coordinating authority for the Yoruba people, a role that was recognised during the colonial era and sustained in post-independence governance.
He explained that titles carrying the name “Yorubaland” are collective in nature, representing the entire Yoruba nation rather than any single town or kingdom.
The monarch, therefore, stated that any ‘Yorubaland’ title must be conferred by an authority whose jurisdiction historically spans the whole region.
The Alaafin noted that this position has been validated by colonial records, post-independence councils, scholarly works and judicial pronouncements, including decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
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This man too talk