Alaafin ignorant of Yoruba history –Olojudo

A prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, the Alayemore Olojudo of Ido Osun, Oba Aderemi Sapoyoro has taken a swipe at the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi over his claim that Oranyan never ruled Ile-Ife.

Oba Sapoyoro, who expressed shock at the Alafin’s claim, alleged that Oba Adeyemi lacked the basic knowledge of Yoruba history expected of a traditional ruler of his stature.
The Alaafin had during the grand finale of the 2013 edition of Oranyan festival in Oyo declared that the people of Ile-Ife could not lay claim to Oranyan.

The controversy between Oyo and Ile-Ife over the celebration of Oranyan festival started in 2012 when the Alafin instituted the Oranyan festival in Oyo.
Oba Sapoyoro who spoke in a telephone conversation with Daily Sun yesterday referred Oba Adeyemi to a book on the history of Ile-Ife written by Prof. Akinjogbin.
He described the book as an authority on Yoruba history, adding that Oranyan ruled Ile-Ife as a monarch, adding that Oranyan’s nephew was also the third Ooni of Ife.
He said: “One of the revered authorities on the history of Yoruba land is the book entitled, ‘The History Of Ile-Ife’, written by Prof. Akinjogbin, and on page 255 of that book it is clearly stated that Oranyan was a monarch in Ile-Ife.
“Prince Oranyan came from the war front and arrived in Ile-Ife. Oranyan’s nephew, Obalufon Alayemore was the third Ooni of Ife before he moved to Ido-Osun and he later returned to Ile-Ife where he became the first Oonirisa of Ile-Ife.
“I will therefore refer Alafin to Prof. Akinjogbin’s book and also advise him to read other books on the history of Yoruba land for him to know better on the history of Yoruba race.”
Oba Sapoyoro, who is a close associate of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, stressed further: “for any body to claim that Oranyan never ruled in Ile-Ife shows lack of knowledge of Yoruba history. It also shows that such fellow is shallow and naïve in the knowledge of yoruba history.”
The monarch urged the Yorubas to discountenance Alaafin’s claim and advised the prominent royal father to search for the truth about the Yoruba.
THE SUN