Two prominent traditional rulers, the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi and the Alaketu of Ketu in Republic of Benin, Oba Ajibade Adebowale Adegbite have jointly called for unity of purpose among the traditional rulers in the South-Western parts of the country.
They also expressed worry over what they described as unacceptable public display and desecration of the traditional institutions in Yoruba land by some of the highly revered monarchs.
These were some of the submissions by the duo when the Alaketu of Ketu in Republic of Benin, Oba Ajibade Adebowale Adegbite paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe in Jibowu, Yaba area of Lagos state
Oba Ajibade Adegbite said it was sad that people no longer accord respect to the King in Yoruba land because of the way they project themselves in the society.
According to him, some of them utter statement that are not Kinglike noting that some even now romance politicians for financial rewards and undeserved public recognitions.
He cited the example of some traditional rulers in Ogun state who directed that a Crown should be removed from another King over argument on whether he was entitled to the throne.
Oba Adegbite regretted that the Yorubas do not love themselves but play the role of betrayals with no plans for the country.
The monarch who hails from Ile-Ife, Osun state disclosed that he started the move to foster unity among Obas in Yoruba land in 2019 adding some were not forthcoming in ensuring progress in our land.
He was confident that his ascending to the throne was chosen by the Oracle and not through moneybags and political connections that is widespread in Yoruba land.
While expressing dismay with those with misleading write ups on the stool of Alaketu, he urged the Media to always get their fact rights before going to press.
According to him, the government in the Republic of Benin upholds dearly the rule of aw and order, saying anyone that violate it including the Oba will not be spared.
On his part, the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi described the visit as historic, long overdue coming at the period of birth of Alaketu of Ketu.
Reacting on the recent killings of some traditional rulers in Ekiti state, Oba Adeniyi said it was unacceptable, barbaric stressing that the traditional rulers should limit their exposures beyond palace as well as guarding against things that are forbidden.
He explained that gone are the days when policemen effect arrest without wielding weapons saying that the traditional rulers nowadays move around with water tight security for maximum safety.
The Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe also blamed modernisation for the lack of adherence to agelong culture and traditions in Yoruba land stressing that the fear is no longer in the land unlike before.
Oba Owolabi Adeniyi promised to reciprocate the honour that came with the visit by the Alaketu of Ketu in Republic of Benin.
