Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams warns Yoruba traditional rulers against supremacy battles, urging unity to safeguard culture, peace and development

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has raised concerns over what he described as an increasing battle for supremacy among traditional rulers in the Yoruba ethnic group, warning that the development poses a serious threat to unity, culture and development in the region.

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Adams made the call on Thursday while addressing dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts at the 2026 Oodua Festival held at the Enuwa Palace Square, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) National Coordinator urged Yoruba royal fathers to desist from actions capable of deepening divisions within the race and instead work collectively to preserve cultural heritage, social cohesion and the developmental prospects of Yorubaland.

“In recent times, the level of disunity among traditional rulers in Yorubaland has become a pressing concern. I am duty-bound to sound the alarm that this ugly development threatens the cultural heritage, social cohesion, and developmental prospects of the Yoruba people,” Adams said.

According to him, the rivalry among some traditional stools, often driven by political interference and personal interests, has weakened the collective influence of the traditional institution, which historically served as a pillar of Yoruba identity and governance.

“The level of disunity is now at an alarming stage. I respectfully call on all our traditional rulers to jettison supremacy battles that are threatening to tear us apart.

We must unite to prevent external infiltration and speak with one voice for the progress of Yorubaland and the South-West,” he added.

Adams further challenged political leaders, elders and leaders of thought across Yorubaland to intervene and mediate in resolving lingering disagreements among Yoruba monarchs.

“Our Obas must embrace unity for the advancement of Yorubaland. This is essential if we are to harness the region’s potential for social and economic development,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, appealed to Osun indigenes in the diaspora to partner with the state government in reviving and upgrading tourism sites across the state.

“The government cannot do it alone. We have many tourist centres in Osun State and we are calling on our people in the diaspora to join hands with us in uplifting these sites,” Ojo said.

In his remarks, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, who spoke on behalf of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged South-West governors to support Adams’ efforts in ridding Yorubaland of criminal elements.

Concerns have continued to trail recent controversies involving traditional institutions in Yorubaland, with many observers warning that infighting among Yoruba monarchs could undermine the socio-cultural development of the region.

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In a previous intervention, Adams had appealed for peace following the public disagreement between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi, a development that further heightened calls for unity among Yoruba traditional rulers.