The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams on Wednesday installed new chiefs to commemorate his second anniversary as the Aare Onakakanfo.
Speaking at the installation, Aare Adams, stated that there was no reason for comparison between the Aare Onakakanfo’s chieftains and that of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Aare was reacting to the news making the rounds in some quarters that the newly installed Mayegun of Yorubaland, Wasiu Ayinde, was done to compete with Mayegun of Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, stressing that the news was the plan of some mischief makers that were doing everything possible to twist history and misinform the public.
Adams, pointed out that Alaafin is the only monarch with the pre-requisite power to appoint a chieftain representing the entire Yorubaland, adding that he was just doing his traditional roles as the generalisimo of Yorubaland.
He said those appointed into the new Aare Onakakanfo Chiefs-in-Council were men and women of credible characters.
His words, “The stool of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland was historic. It was created in 1530 and dedicated to the head and king of all warriors in Yorubaland.
“As it was in the beginning, and over the ages, as well as now, the Aare Onakakanfo, as the Generalissimo of all warriors in Yorubaland is kept in seclusion prior to his coronation. It was Alaafin, His Imperial Majesty that has the power to install the Aare Onakakanfo and other chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yorubaland. Once installed, the Aare Onakakanfo is mandated to have his Chiefs and Council-of-Chiefs.
“And all Aare Onakakanfos, since 1530, had Chiefs and Council of Chiefs. The only two exceptions in the long history of the institution were the late Aare S.L.A. Akintola, former Premier of the old Western Region, and the late Aare M.K.O. Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, who could not constitute their councils due to the political developments of their respective periods. What we are doing today is aptly history in the making, no worries.
“At my inauguration as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo, our father, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, and the Oyomesi gave me a specific mandate to carry out the functions of my office as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland in tandem with the established tradition for the progress and wellness of Yorubaland.
“I was installed with a beaded crown called ‘Ade Idikoko,’ a sacred crown used to install any Aare Onakakanfo and a staff of office as the king of all warriors in Yorubaland, and this is what we replicate here today to show the unique import of tradition in Yoruba history.
“The installation committee did well in the selection of designated Aare Onakakanfo chiefs in council comprising people of note in the society.”
News Hub Mag! reports that the 16 newly installed chiefs were drawn from different professions.
