Ego fight a threat to Yoruba unity – Gani Adams tells traditional rulers
By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
Yoruba Generalissimo, Iba Gani Adams, has warned Yoruba traditional rulers that ego fights constitute a major obstacle to unity within the race.
This is as he stressed the need for unity among traditional rulers of Yoruba extraction in a bid to curb external infiltration of the region.
Speaking at the 2026 Oodua Festival held at Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday, themed: “Culture, Creativity, Arts and Nation Building”, he emphasised the need for traditional rulers to stop the supremacy battle which threatens to tear the race apart.
His words, “I am duty-bound to sound the alarm that this ugly development threatens the cultural heritage, social cohesion, and developmental prospects of the Yoruba people. The level of disunity is now alarming. I respectfully call on all our traditional rulers to jettison the supremacy battles that are threatening to tear us apart.
“We should unite to prevent external infiltrations. We need our traditional rulers to resume speaking with one voice for the progress of Yorubaland and the southwest region, rather than fighting for personal aggrandisement and interests.
“This fragmentation among our traditional stools, often fueled by political interference and personal rivalries, undermines the collective strength and influence of the traditional institution, which has historically been a pillar of Yoruba identity and governance.
“Historically, the Yoruba traditional institution has experienced periods of division, particularly when external political actors infiltrate the council of monarchs, worsening conflicts and rivalries.
“At this juncture, I call on all political establishments in Yorubaland, Yoruba elders and leaders of thought to step in to mediate between our traditional rulers.
“Unity among traditional rulers should not be merely symbolic; it should be a practical tool for progress. A united traditional institution can effectively mobilise resources, advocate for the welfare of the people, and collaborate with government and private sectors to tackle issues such as youth unemployment, insecurity, and cultural erosion”.
In his address, the Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, urged people in the diaspora to collaborate with the state government to resuscitate and uplift the state’s tourist sites.
“The government cannot do it alone. We have a lot of tourist centres in Osun State, and we are calling on our people in diaspora to join hands with us in upgrading these sites,” Ojo said.
The representative of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the event, Oba Idowu Adediwura, the Obalufe of Ife, appealed to southwest governors to support Adams in his work for Yorubaland.
Oba Adediwura said, “I want to call on governors in the southwest to support Aare Gani Adams. He has done a lot in liberating Yorubaland. It is not until we bring out guns or cutlasses that we fight for Yoruba freedom. What we need is wisdom, and that is what Gani Adams is using.”
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