The Lowa Adimula, Ademola Adeyeye, a traditional ruler in Ile-Ife has explained that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi cannot be compared to any other traditional ruler in Yoruba land.
He explained that no rivalry exist between the Ooni and any other monarch in Yoruba land, stating that he is the father of the Yoruba people as well as the spiritual and traditional head of the race.
While speaking with newsmen at the Ooni’s palace in celebration of his 70th birth anniversary, he said the superiority of the Ooni of Ife among other monarchs of Yoruba extraction remains uncontested and immeasurable.
He said, “Ooni cannot be compared with any other traditional ruler. He is their father both traditionally and spiritually.”
The monarch blamed the situation on the issue of federal policing, saying noting that there is a disconnect between security architecture and the people, especially traditional institutions.
He said: “Our government is behind the insecurity in this country. Removing traditional institutions from the security architecture of a community is a clear road to failure.
“It is time government give traditional rulers a pragmatic role in securing the country, it is the best thing to do and we must tackle insecurity using local solutions.
“I appeal to the federal government, especially the National Assembly, to fast-track legislation on giving traditional rulers in the country a constitutional role in the administration of their domain as it was practised in the past.”
