Ayo Ladigbolu: We must protect traditional institution against abuse by politicians

Ayo Ladigbolu, the archbishop emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) and chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), says Yoruba traditional rulership is facing its most harrowing challenges in history.

Ladigbolu spoke on Tuesday while playing host to Ademola Makinde, the newly crowned Owa of Igbajo in Osun state, at his Apewo Villa residence, in Oyo town.

Ladigbolu, who is also the chairman of the Oyo metropolitan development association, said the Yoruba monarchy is in great disarray, “especially now that the stool of the Alaafin is vacant”.

He called for the strengthening of the traditional institution to protect it from interference and abuse by political officeholders.

“This gathering is monumental as it is coming after the call to glory of the first literate, enlightened, articulate, famous, admirable, courageous, intelligent, and globally respected African monarch, Oba Dr. Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, the Alaafin and king of the Yoruba,” Ladigbolu said.

“The exalted and venerated stool of the Alaafin is vacant at such a time as this when traditional rulership is in great disarray and dire straits. Today, it is facing some of its most harrowing challenges in history.

“Long before now, it used to be banishments and reductions of emoluments. Today, it is a case of the tail wagging the dog with politicians downgrading and upgrading traditional rulers.”

Ladigbolu noted that it is high time the Yoruba people discovered their roots and be bold enough to affirm them publicly.

He thanked the monarch for his visit, noting that Oyo remains a significant state in the history of the Yoruba race.

“Oyo remains very significant in the history and culture of the Yoruba nation not only because of the paramountcy and centrality of the Alaafins and their unique administrative capabilities that held an African empire together for more than 600 years, but also on account of the power, influence, and dominant impact of the Oranyan descendants on the human race,” he said.

“Our Igbarajopo should help us to open our hearts and minds and engage in deep reflections on who we are and what we ought to be in the light of our history.

“We of the Yoruba nation should be asking by now such questions as, “Who are the original Yoruba people?” Where did they originate from? Are we truly recognised for who we are? Is it possible to trace our real origins?

“This is the time to discover our ROOTS and be strong and courageous enough to affirm them before the whole world. Yes, there will be surprises. There will be doubters, and there will be discouragers. But the TRUTH will always prevail.”

On his part, Makinde said the visit was in recognition of Ladigbolu’s position as the “number one lover and promoter of the Yoruba tribe”.

He described Ladigbolu as a “living legend and an encyclopedia of modern Yoruba history” and prayed that God would choose the right person as the successor to the Alaafin stool.