Why I won’t play supremacy politics - Ooni of Ife

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said he would not pursue supremacy politics with any traditional ruler because it would threaten the unity and development of Yorubaland.

Ooni Adeyeye, in an exclusive interview, said he did not believe in any supremacy battle because only God is the Supreme Being.

He argued that traditional rulers ought to work for the well-being of their subjects and collaborate in any area that would benefit their kingdoms.

In pursuit of unity, the monarch pledged to extend hands of love to fellow traditional rulers, stressing that he would seek them out whether or not they like the idea.

His words: “I like to walk the talk. Number one, there is nothing like supremacy; it is only God that is supreme. He is the King of kings, higher than anyone. There is no parent who would not pray that his children should be greater than him. It is all politics. When I was a prince, so many kings had me as their son. For me, it is very easy for me to reach out to them. When I ascended the throne, I reached out to all major Yoruba kings and obviously we are united. United we stand. So the Yoruba are gradually coming back, together.

“There is no supremacy; everybody has his strength. In Oyo Kingdom, there is strength; they have even contributed to Ile-Ife, many years ago, just the same way Ife kingdom has contributed to the development of Oyo kingdom.

“The Ijebu Kingdom has contributed. So everybody has made their own contributions. The most important thing for all of us is to come together and continue to do great things. The biggest and largest economy in the world starts with ‘United’ (referring to the United States of America).

“It was possible because they were united. It is easier for me. If they don’t come to me, I will go to them. If they don’t want to see me, I will go to their doors and I have started.

“So, the most important thing for me is to focus on the youth. I love to get them something to do. We should stop this habit of supremacy. No! They should focus on the youth and unity. The youth are getting frustrated. I am a youth, I feel their pulse; I have been there. We have to get them something.

“We need to unite all our royal fathers. I am very happy I am extremely close to the Sultan of Sokoto. He is a prominent traditional ruler from the North and he has fully pledged to work together with me. He personally came to the inauguration of the Ife Grand Resort; he spent two days with us in Ife. What else is more than that?”

The Ooni yesterday rounded off his over one week-long coronation with a thanksgiving.

Standing on the pulpit to address the congregation at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife, Oba Ogunwusi thanked God for making it possible for him to become the king.

He prayed to God to give him the wisdom to lead the people.

The traditional ruler asked the congregation to sing along with him as he led several praise songs to God whom he said had kept him alive, made him the king and made the coronation a huge success.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Ife Diocese, Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, described Oba Ogunwusi as a conqueror.

He likened him to King Solomon in the Old Testament, saying he had been ordained king from the womb.

Dignitaries at the event include the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Obawara of Iwara, Oba Olayiwola Adereti; Adagba of Iyanforogi, Oba Adebolu Fatunmise; Alara of Ara-Osi, Oba Segun Layade; Basorun Adeniyi Adeoye, ace footballer Obafemi Martins, the Obasewa of Ife, Chief Agboola Odeyemi, the king’s father, Prince Oluropo Ogunwusi, Prof. Adeyemi Adeoye Aderibigbe and a host of others.