MEMORY LANE: IN 1991 Alaafin Adeyemi Writes Governor Adisa Reporting Ooni Sijuwade Over Conferment Of Chieftaincy Title (READ FULL TEXT)

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ON the 4th March, 1991, the Alaafin of Oyo, HRM Oba Lamidi Adeyemi wrote a letter reporting the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II over his ‘purported intention to confer the title of “Akinrogun of Yorubaland” on Chief Tom Ikimi.

In the said letter, there was a show of decorum directing the message to Ooni Sijuwade through Governor of the Oyo State Colonel Adisa not like a direct letter that went viral on Monday, August 18, 2025 from Alaafin Owoade to Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Unlike this letter from Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin Owoade issued a strong worded warning to Ooni Adeyeye to revoke a Chieftaincy title conferred on a business tycoon within 48 hours.

Full Letter From Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in 1991

“Our Reference: APO. 13/Vol.XXI11/26

4th March 1991

Colonel Abdul-Kareem Adisa,

The Military Governor of Oyo State,

Military Governor’s Office,

Secretariat,

Ibadan.

My dear Governor,

I have just read in the Guardian Newspapers issue of Wednesday, 27th February, 1991, back page, the purported intention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II to confer an imaginary Chieftaincy title of Akinrogun of ‘Yorubaland’ on the National Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Chief Tom Ikimi.

In view of the fact that the Oba as a Traditional ruler, is the custodian of Tradition, I have a duty to point to, not only breach of Tradition but an outright desecration of the sacred institution.

I have gone into the Military history a bit so as to show that we cannot separate history from Tradition.

Since this Government has always talked of the high esteem to which it places the Tradition and Culture of our people, I believe the Government equally holds it a duty to prevent any distortion of the history of any part of the Country by anybody no matter how highly placed for any ego-boasting gimmick.

Of course, I am not unmindful of the efforts of the Government of Oyo State to nip in the bud the unwholesome practice of creation and conferment of spurious titles by some Traditional Rulers in the state.

Governor Sasaeniyan Oresanya in one of the Traditional Council meeting-which he chaired in 1990 shortly before he was deployed passionately appealed to the Obas in the Council to stop the conferment of spurious Chieftaincy titles.

He instructed that all future award of Chieftaincy title should be routed through the Traditional Council at which the Paramount Oba is the Chairman.

I think it will not be out of tune for the Ooni Oba Sijuade to be called upon by the Government to defend his imaginary title of Akinrogun of’ Yorubaland by reference to such and similar titles his forebears awarded before, the past recipients and their places of origin.

Unless, that is done, one will not be surprised if it becomes the vogue for any Oba to be conferring their town or villages titles and to be conferring their town or villages titles and designate them as ‘Yorubaland’.

And that will be [lawlessness per se}. I have said it earlier that Oba Okunade Sijuade is behaving as if there no Authority to check and call him to order and because of that ‘above the law’ syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s’ back including Government.

Now, on the choice of Chief Tom Ikimi for such a non-existent title, Chief Ikimi is no doubt an eminent Nigerian, a distinguished architect, a notable politician and a highly respected Chief from Bendel State, his colour so far is so immaculate, I supposed, that I cannot see why he should add another one such that can end up in the confusion of his rear colour. I doubt if the time is ripe for any controversy of that nature for the respected Chief.

Secondly, the Government has always talked of Traditional Rulers’ role in the transition, I think the Government cannot pretend ignorance of the direct unceremonious involvement of Oba Okunade Sijuade in the internal workings of the two Political parties in a way, sordid though, that suggests that either side of the coin, he is the kingmaker.

If some of us refrain from playing that kind of game with him, it is not because he is more clever, but because we should be seen to keep the dignity of our office by respecting the law and Authority of Government especially with regard to Transition Programme…”

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