Wetin dey happen for Yoruba land wey we go dey talk today no be small matter. Na serious gbege dey brew as dem kings wey suppose govern dey busy dey fight over who be the ‘baba’ for town. E go shock you say na dis kind quarrel dey take Yoruba tradition dey backslide.
As e be, instead of dem to focus on bettering schools, roads, and all dem things wey go benefit we, dem dey shout who dey highest rank amongst dem. Na Alaafin of Oyo waka come drop some heavy gist wey carry old rivalry come back to life like say we no get current issues wey dey vex all of us.
History don show say before, Alaafin dey control serious power, with military might and big money flow. But now? E be like say dem don turn kings to parade show wey fit inspire national pride but no fit enforce wetin dem suppose enforce. Kingship wey no dey backed by real power just dey turn symbolic, and na there wahala dey come in.
The whole drama no dey only dey happen for Oyo o, e dey occur all over Yorubaland. For place like Igboho, dem dey argue who be the real king pass. Na who we go follow? The Alepata, the Onigboho, or the Ona-Onibode? If you carry come visit, you fit see say dem rivalry don sour to the point wey you go need to check yourself before you show face for one palace or the other.
E don reach a time wey kings need to sabi say wahala too much for their backyard fit distract dem from wetin suppose matter: the people wey need them. Imagine as the Soun of Ogbomoso and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon dey throw jabs at each other like two fighters in ring. Real quarrel no dey about who be king, na wetin dey happen for ground wey be the real deal.
The koko be say this quarrel don turn public resources to waste. Instead of spending time on how to bring development come, dem dey look for who go shine pass. E fit surprise you say even Oyo State Council of Obas don carry join the matter. Na wetin dem dey do for meeting? Postponing am like say na tomorrow e go happen. Meanwhile, ordinary people dey suffer.
As we dey talk historical background, na quick reminder o. Yoruba kingship no be about one person holding king title without checking history. If you look well, Oyo self rise from trials and strategies. Dem current kings need to embrace that reality. Dey should know that power of today no be like before. Na collaboration we need, not wahala.
Let’s face am: E don clear say if anybody wan make real impact, na to prove relevance to people be the koko. Kings wey no gree adjust and dey follow the new wave fit find themselves as figures no one look up to. E just dey funny how dem dey advertise dem supremacy while the people dey cry for basic needs. We need agriculture, employment, healthcare—things wey fit upgrade our living standard.
Na why I go suggest say instead of dem dey hold our communities for ransom with rank, make dem learn how to build bridges and connect better. Kings wey sabi negotiation no dey shout, dem dey build pathways for success, bring investors, and create win-win situations for their people.
Make we no dey deceive ourselves o, royal authority today need to get the right balance. Relationships wey dey based on who dey stand high will only bring drama. Na partnership dey reign supreme now, and Yoruba kings go do well to see say their focus no dey on hierarchy matter, but on genuine issues wey fit turn ground upside down.
At the end, history go judge this generation of kings based on which road dem don build, how many lives dem don change, and how many people don dey smile thanks to dem. So make all the kings take note: the future no belong to dem wey just dey shout rank loud pass, but to dem wey dey listen, connect, and build.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
