I’m Your Superior, Alake Tells Awujale

Awujale & Alake

The Alake of Egbaland, Adedoyin Gbadebo, on Monday responded to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona, saying they were not on the same cadre considering he earned higher salary.

Gbadebo was reacting to the Awujale’s comments describing him as a junior and uneducated traditional ruler who was distorting Yoruba history.

The Alake said the comment was uncalled for and not civil. He however said while he would provide details negating the Awujale’s claims, he would refrain from trading insults with a highly regarded monarch of Awujale’s status.

At a press conference held at his Ake palace, Abeokuta, Gbadebo, represented by Egba Chieftaincy Committee headed by Sikirulai Atobatele (Balogun of Egbaland), said his ranking was supported by documentary evidence.

He said in 1937, the Ooni of Ife categorized Yoruba Traditional Rulers at the Central Native Council Meeting chaired by the then Governor-General, Sir William Macgregor, at Government House, Lagos.

“Those in attendance included the Ooni of Ife, Alafin of Oyo, Oba of Benin, Alake of Abeokuta and Awujale of Ijebu-Ode,” he said.

“The Egbas arrived and settled in Abeokuta mainly in 1830. The first Alake in Abeokuta was installed in 1854, followed by the Olowu in 1855, the Agura in 1870 and the Osile in 1897,” the committee said.

The statement said Egba cabinet approved by the then Governor of Lagos under the Egba United Government Proclamation of February 1,1898 had Alake as President, Osile(Minister of Justice), Agura (Minister of Communications and Works) and Olowu (Minister of Finance).

“Historically speaking, Alake was higher by salary differentials paid by colonial government. (1)Alake of Abeokuta £2,250 (2) ‎ Awujale of Ijebu-Ode £1, 700,” the statement said.

The committee attributed their information to page 4, paragraph 4, Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Information National Archives, File Nos 33044, CSO 26, letter SP11828120, Secretary’s Office, Southern Province, Enugu, 31st January, 1938.

Awujale with Ooni

Meanwhile, the Afenifere Renewal Group on Tuesday implored the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to put their differences behind and work together for the unity of Yorubaland.

The ARG, a pan-Yoruba socio-economic and political organisation, called for support for the unity agenda of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi among Yoruba traditional rulers.

Ooni with Alake

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the ARG Kwara State Chapter, Mr. Joe Olarogun, which urged Yoruba monarchs “to embrace the agenda and desist from any act that may hinder the current initiative.”

The group issued the statement amidst superiority tussle, which ensued between front line Yoruba monarchs, particularly the Awujale of Ijebuland and Alake of Egbaland last week.

Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, had stirred the hornet’s net when he reeled out the five topmost Yoruba monarchs during a visit to his palace by the Ooni of Ile-Ife and the list has since caused ripples in the media with Awujale firing the latest salvo.

But the ARG expressed concerns that the raging bickering could upset the progressive drive, which it said, Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ile-Ife had initiated to promote the unity among all strata of leaders in Yorubaland.

The group said this “is the period to support the unity agenda that the Ooni Ogunwusi has started,” the statement said. Anything that may cause distraction or hindrance should therefore be ignored.”