Adams Urges Against Comparisons Between Alaafin Of Oyo And Ooni Of Ife

Adams Urges Against Comparisons Between Alaafin Of Oyo And Ooni Of Ife

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has called on the public and content creators to refrain from comparing the seniority of the Yoruba monarchs, specifically the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife.

During his remarks at the Oke Ibadan Festival 2025, held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adams expressed concern over the unnecessary comparisons being made, particularly on social media platforms, and warned that such discussions could potentially incite discord….READ MORE….

“I have observed with discontent the recent unfounded comparisons made between the Alaafin of Oyo’s position and that of the Ooni of Ife regarding seniority, perpetuated by bloggers and various online media,” he stated.

He emphasized that both positions represent significant traditional authority in Yorubaland and on a global scale.

“I urge bloggers and media outlets to avoid disseminating content that may lead to disunity among our traditional rulers and institutions,” he added. “I implore all to exercise caution in their reporting and to be thoughtful in the content they produce to prevent further inflaming political tensions.”

Adams also highlighted the significance of the Oke Ibadan Festival, which celebrates the founding of Ibadan and honors its cultural heritage.

“The Oke-Ibadan festival is an annual event dedicated to honoring the founders of Ibadan, the Aboke, and the people of Oyo State, Nigeria,” he remarked. “This cultural festival serves to acknowledge our ancestors, reinforce cultural values, and promote unity within the community.”

He elaborated that while there are multiple narratives regarding the origins of Oke Ibadan, there is a common consensus that Lagelu: Oro Apata-Maja is recognized as the city’s founder, who also established the festival.

“The festival serves as a testament to the historical significance of the Ibadan community and the legacies of its forebearers,” he explained, noting the reverence for the goddess of the hill and the recognition of Ibadan’s founding figures.

Moreover, Adams urged the Oyo State government to promote Oke Ibadan as a notable tourist site, drawing parallels to other historically significant rocks in Yorubaland, such as Olumo Rock in Abeokuta and Oke Idanre in Ondo.