Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has said the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, should not be criticised for crowning some people living outside the country as obas.

The royal father said on a Rave FM programme, Frank Talk, monitored in Osogbo on Wednesday the division among Yoruba obas was responsible for the controversy over installation of Yoruba obas in the diaspora.

He said some South-West monarchs had installed Yoruba obas in the diaspora in the past, wondering why Oba Akinruntan had become the subject of all criticism in the region.

On Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Chief Gani Adams’ criticism of Oba Akinruntan over the crowing of people living outside the country as obas, Oluwo said, “He (Adams) remains a chief.

“When there is a disagreement, we can sit to resolve it, but no one should be happy that the traditional institution is being ridiculed for this issue.

“No oba should be happy that our subjects are attacking us over this issue.

“There have been cases of Yoruba obas that installed monarchs in the Diaspora in the past. I also have power to do so, but this must follow the rules laid down.”

Oba Akanbi said he had solution to the seeming feud between Olugbo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He, however, said he would not disclose it until the two royal fathers had come together.

Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan

On the claim by Oba Ogunwusi that Igbo race started from Ile Ife, Oluwo said there was no clear cultural link between the two groups.

He said, “The way we dance as Yoruba, the way we greet and do things are quite different from how Igbo people do theirs.”

Reacting to the claim by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, that he was the head of Yoruba race, Oluwo said, “I respect the source of Yoruba race.

“The seat of Oduduwa is in Ife. Oranmiyan is a prince in Ife, Owa is a prince in Ife, I am a prince in Ife. Even the current Ooni is a prince. The issue of who is superior between Alaafin and Ooni is technical. I won’t take sides, but I respect the source.”

He called on Yoruba monarchs to be united and emulate their northern counterparts, adding that rather than accepting some of the innovations he had brought to Yoruba kingship, he had been the subject of intense criticism.