Mayegun Installation: your power does not extend beyond Oyo, Erelu Oodua tells Alaafin

January 15, 2020

4.4 min readCategories: News
  • Slams Awujale over comment on secret burial for the traditional rulers

Criticisms have continued to trail the decision of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, over the installation of the popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, as the Mayegun of Yoruba land, allegedly with an instruction that he should not prostrate for some categories of traditional rulers.

The musician was, on Monday, installed in the palace of the traditional ruler, even as prominent obas from the South-West zone conspicuously stayed away from the event.

Reacting to the installation, a traditional title holder, Erelu Mabel Tinuade Onaneye, said it was wrong for the Alaafin to have made Ayinde the Mayegun of Yoruba land, noting that the traditional ruler’s suzerainty does not extend beyond his Oyo domain.

Onaneye, who is the Erelu Oodua of Aye Kingdom, Ondo State and Irawo Oni Oodua of Yoruba, said it was wrong for the Alaafin to super-impose an Oyo chief on the Yoruba nation.

She said Oba Adeyemi got it wrong, if he actually made the statement credited to him, adding: “One day, he will appoint a Hausa or Igbo to be the leader of Yoruba. He thought he want to spite or bring the authority of the Ooni of Ife down but baba his making a great mistake.”

The Texas, United State of America (USA)-based business woman further said it was a misnomer to ask a Mayegun with no historical, traditional or cultural relevance to equal himself to, or compare himself with any beaded crown oba, no matter how small his domain.

“In my entire life, I have never heard about any king as Alaafin of Yorubaland. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, when did you become Alaafin of Yorubaland? What is uniting and dividing us in Yorubaland? I have answers to this: supremacy, hate, jealousy to mention a few.

“Yoruba land belongs to all Omo Kaaro Oojire. The obas are just caretakers. If you do it well, the history shall not perish. But if you do it in other way round, your name shall remain in the history book.

Enough of lies and deceits from our traditional rulers.

“Yoruba has only one sacred royal crown. We all know our source from the history of the past and present, Ile Ife. Thereafter, there were extensions to various Yoruba kingdoms, including Benin Kingdom and Itsekiri Kingdom.

“An Oba is an Oba. Oyo Kingdom is under the Alaafin. Egba Kingdom is under the Alake of Egba land. Ile-Ife is under the Ooni, Benin Kingdom is under Ereduawa under the reign of Benin kingdom and Ondo Kingdom is under the Osemawe.

Who made the Alaafin an Oba to reign over the Yoruba nation and to the extent of imposing his subject over the entire Yoruba land?

“With due respect and all reverence to Oba Adeyemi, it is a misnomer to ask a Mayegun with no historical, traditional or cultural relevance to equal himself to, or compare himself with any beaded crown oba, no matter how small his domain.

“It is wrong to super-impose an Oyo chief and untitled chieftaincy on the Yoruba nation and its people. Did you seek the permission of the above-mentioned obas, especially Awujale, who is the Oba of Ijebu land where Ayinde is a native? If yes, show a prove to the Yoruba.

“Alaafin, do not cross the line by being disrespectful to other obas in Yoruba land. All your subjects must remain in your kingdom and not to be claiming Yoruba land. Oyo is Oyo; Oyo is not Yoruba land. My generation will not allow you to enslave other parts of the South-West.

“This is an insult on the whole Yoruba race and we need to stand with one voice and defend our cultural heritage. Let us stand up and fight for our tradition not to be bastardised. The Yoruba race is already in disarray. We should get it right now and stop the recklessness and excesses of some of our traditional rulers,” she said.

In a related development, Erelu Onaneye, also chided the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, over a statement credited to him that there should be a stop to secret burial for obas.

Describing the statement as abomination and unbelievable, she said asked, “So Obas should be buried in the cemetery or beside their house?

”Awujale, are you afraid or scared of death? Is this statement in accordance with Yoruba culture?”

”Honestly kabiyesi, anyone who does not want to be buried in accordance with the Isese rites should never be crowned as an oba in Yoruba land because obaship is purely Isese tradion.”

“Kabiyesi, how did you get to the throne? Is it by Muslim rite or Christian rite? Oba Awujale, you must definitely go back to our ancestors through that isese spiritual rites. You cannot change or rewrite our tradition or you rather leave the throne to your Wadai country as you once claimed.

“Finding ways to escape payment for all you had swallowed, drank and ate with the ebora occultism and tradition, is an abomination. Oba’s body is not for his family members.

“They joined the ancestors. Oba kin ku, oba ma waja ni. Oba’s body must be buried inside the sacred forest, Igbo Oro, in accordance with the native traditions and culture. You cannot change it.”

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34 Comments

  1. Prince Adeniran Tewogbade Babajide January 15, 2020 at 6:01 pm - Reply

    Kudos to you ma Erelu… I highly impressed, you are worthy to be given a square deal afterwards…. I cherished you, may you live long enough to accomplish your wish in Yoruba land and this world at large ?God bless you ma.

    • SOLOMON Bakare January 16, 2020 at 12:22 am - Reply

      Well articulated from the historical and cultural perspective. May you live long.

    • Ishau sanni January 16, 2020 at 5:52 am - Reply

      Kudos, God bless you ma for let them know the truth.

      • James January 16, 2020 at 1:16 pm - Reply

        I expected Obama Lamidi Adeyemi to be more matured than what we are currently experiencing. The fact that the current Ooni is a peace loving king does not mean he should be taken for granted. I remember when zoo I sijuade was on the throne, he was able to cut Alasfin to size to the extent that he told Alaafin that’s it’s a sacrilege foam an ooni to be present in a place and another Oba In Yorubaland to claim being equal.

      • David January 17, 2020 at 2:56 am - Reply

        Oba Adeyemi might have got it wrong here. Who is Wasiu Ayinde to be given that title? What has he contributed to the development of Yoruba land? We know money speaks but we must not forget our origin because anything we do today will be history tomorrow

        • Tinuade January 18, 2020 at 7:36 pm - Reply

          Honestly i am so impressed with all what you have said ma, Eledumare will continue to uphold u,agba koni tan lorile, Igba Irunmole will continually prosper your ways. This is not the first time Alaafin Oyo will do this, he’s been doing it since and nobody stopped him, so let’s join hands together as omo kaaro oojire to let our traditional rulers knows their boundaries.

          • Jedidiah Olamide Bodunde January 19, 2020 at 2:27 pm

            Hmmm ma, l am so impressed with what you have said. Who is Ayinde waisu? Can someone tell me what this man have contribute to the development of Yoruba land. And Oba Adeyemi, pls, Yoruba doesn’t belong to one person. You mighty have the money and Authority sir. You will leave it one day.

    • Oluwole Akinola January 16, 2020 at 6:06 am - Reply

      You are a good ambassador of this generation ma. You are apt and in point. I’m so impressed ma

    • Aduke January 16, 2020 at 11:05 am - Reply

      Thanks ? my beautiful erelu, what our father Alaafin did is unacceptable, atrocious and abominable. All these as been going on for a while. We Yoruba as to put a stop to it. Baba is Alaafin of Oyo like you rightly said not Alaafin of Yorubaland. The most annoying thing is he did not consult or get permission from all Yorubaland Obas. Haba! Yorubaland belong to all of us sir “ ki ade pe Lori sa, irukere a di okini sir.” Alaafin disrespects all Yorubaland and it’s unacceptable sir. What’s has Wasiu Ayinde contributed to the Yorubaland, what is Wasiu impact in the life of Yoruba people. Pls my people something need to be done they can’t continue to enslave us in our father land, eyi ti e so wa di eru to

    • Oludele January 17, 2020 at 8:59 am - Reply

      With due respect to Alaafin,the Mayeigun chieftaincy should have been simply described as ‘Mayeigun of Oyo kingdom’ and not of Yoruba land.

  2. Dotun January 15, 2020 at 11:21 pm - Reply

    I look at the write up of the words of this Erelu and I can see that she is highly uninformed. From the looks of things, she has no knowledge of Yoruba history, let her remove the entire landscape of Oyo Empire and tell us if her town was nor under the empire ruled by Alaafin?

    It is obvious she is confused and jealous and lack in depth knowledge and as such she is blabbing. Who installed her as Erelu? Her installation by a king or cult she belongs to? Oodua never was a king, it is unfortunate she is saying things she knows next to nothing about.

  3. Oluseun January 15, 2020 at 11:30 pm - Reply

    Bravo to you great woman. You are a great icon and worth celebrate. I rather stand for the truth even if worth standing alone.

  4. Olumuyiwa January 16, 2020 at 12:58 am - Reply

    Amen

  5. Expolala January 16, 2020 at 1:33 am - Reply

    I appreciate your courage ma. Yoruba youth must come together to fight this in court. I suggest that there should be platform where we can come together and fight these Political contractors Obas in Yoruba land.

    • Aduke January 16, 2020 at 11:09 am - Reply

      I agreed with you, this is unacceptable. Ki lo de, se won fe so wa di eru ni ile baba wa ni. Awon oba wa lo ta wa fun Hausa Fulani.

      • Truth Seeket January 19, 2020 at 3:53 am - Reply

        This is all so divisive, petty and controversial. Why do black people like to debate the most frivolous things? With all due respect, how does one become Oba over a foreign land like Texas or the USA in general? Is our ma’s traditional title relevant or appropriate when reviewed from that perspective? Did Texans take a vote to establish her rule? Do we see how absolutely frivolous such arguments are? Instead, why not focus our efforts on building infrastructure in our communities and extending affordable education to our fellow natives? Why care that it will go down in history that someone was given a title with no historical background- but not worry about it being GLOBAL history that Nigeria doesn’t have running water in every home -or that it has rolling blackouts/no electricity?Black people- let’s stop arguing over entitlements and be a better servant to humanity. It starts in YOUR community from YOUR heart.

    • David January 17, 2020 at 2:04 am - Reply

      Obama Adeyemi might ha e got it wrong here. Who is Wasiu Ayinde to be given that title? What has he contributed to the development of Yoruba land? We know money speaks but we must not forget our origin because anything we do today will be history tomorrow

  6. Omoba Adenuga January 16, 2020 at 9:46 am - Reply

    As much as i may subscribe to your observations but you lack the pedigree to attack any first class Obas because your acclaimed chieftain is not from the cradle of the Yoruba source and Erelu Oodua can only be crowned from the cradle of the Yoruba source and more so you live in diaspora. The isese ( rituals) has never been extended to any woman because any woman that see Oro Oro agbe

    • Olorogun abejide January 16, 2020 at 2:54 pm - Reply

      Moremi ajashoro nko ni bo ni baba yin wa ni igbati obirin sii aso loju oro tiko jeki iran igbo ko baba yin leru. Wadi itan dada

      • Tinuade January 18, 2020 at 7:45 pm - Reply

        May God bless you with this reply .

    • Ahmed Kayode January 16, 2020 at 3:17 pm - Reply

      This piece just make my day. Many thanks to Erelu for not been sided.

    • Omo Oduduwa January 17, 2020 at 2:45 am - Reply

      “Eniyan ni o wa ni idi Oro ti Oro fin ke”. Any where in the world won ma fi Oba je ni. I credit the woman leader she said it in plain words. With all the Obas, Chiefs, Yoruba leaders, Ogbonis’ in Yoruba land, The Fulani Caliphate that has destroy the most of the tribes mainly across Sahara Africa and and mostly across Nigeria states and people, regions, tribes and culture where this tribes hails like Hausa, Ilorin Borno, Jos, Benue, kogi should not be able to destroy the Yoruba race if we are united among our selves.

      A kingdom that is divided among itself will fall…

    • AJ January 18, 2020 at 7:07 am - Reply

      Unfortunately, you possess a limited knowledge of Oro cult and women involvement. Is it not interesting to hear that designated women equip Oro masquerades before going out, yet we say women do not look at Oro. Please,wise up!

  7. OTUNBA FESTUS JACOB BABATUNDE January 16, 2020 at 11:17 am - Reply

    Good talk Erelu, gbogbo Oba ile yoruba ti o ba fe ba isese je ile lo ma mu won

  8. Hon taye January 16, 2020 at 11:49 am - Reply

    Weldone and good talk erelu. We meet again during olojo.

  9. Tunde Adebisi January 16, 2020 at 3:30 pm - Reply

    Erelu, our Kabiyesi Awujale can not be insulted on social media. Kindly respect the traditional rulers

  10. Emmanuel January 16, 2020 at 4:50 pm - Reply

    Hmmm what a great and explored submission. These new chieftancy titles is meant to divide yoruba unity because Obas are now partisan. They are now rewriting our landmark traditions and cultures Ewoo. I know the grieviances of Alale will strike on anyone meant to be a respected elder that arrogantly turn himself to a beast.. I know one thing in history and cultural values of Yoruba’s that wherever is being called head should not be crawl on ground. Yoruba is the most peaceful ethnic in the history of Nigeria and our father’s should constitute peaceful act not inculcating act that could tarnish our cultures and traditions.. I love your brilliant submission Erelu Oodua ma, Oodua agbewa ooo.

  11. Eniwaju Winkunle January 16, 2020 at 7:40 pm - Reply

    Point of correction! Oyo empire comprises of present towns in the Southwest Nigeria, some part of Benin Republic, some part of Northcentral Nigeria and South south. I have never come across Yoruba empire or Yoruba kingdom. Erelu in diaspora! Check what is Empire? You can’t rewrite the Yoruba history. Oni of Ife is a politically motivated kingdom to bring down Oyo Empire. Please ! when you performed some ritual rites you’re forbid to prostrate for anybody. It is not to bring any obas to ridicule. When Imperial speaks, it becomes authority.

    • Falaye Adebayo January 17, 2020 at 1:41 am - Reply

      This woman is right

  12. Isese ifa January 17, 2020 at 3:26 pm - Reply

    Mama oduaa u spoke well.
    Alaafin Oyo is wanted to rewrite the history and ile ife is the head.. Let’s youths caution the man that want to turn himself to God

    • Oyegoke January 18, 2020 at 9:46 am - Reply

      Yeye Erelu good talk but inside life anything can happen,Ka ni iberu olodumare lo ja ju .

  13. Olorijay January 18, 2020 at 5:23 am - Reply

    I’m not even talking about d mayekun or whatever, I’m concerned about d oba kin ku oba ma waja, and payment issue hmm o deep oo ile ola dun lotoo sugbon.. mewa nbé be.

  14. Pail January 18, 2020 at 9:33 am - Reply

    Yes a good reply to the arrogant king always arrogating powers to himself he should know that no matter the propaganda we still recognize the ooni of Ife as the supreme king of Yoruba race

  15. Olaoluwa Awolowo January 19, 2020 at 11:44 am - Reply

    Mama Erelu Oodua have spoken well. I read the article about the burial right of Obas as presented by Awujale of Ijebu land. This man is just trying to escape with all what he has eaten during his coronation, I think he should be dethroned.

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