“Alaafin is a god! Not a Mere Oba” – Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN

In a profound affirmation of the Alaafin’s divine status, Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN described the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo as the pinnacle of Obaship Institutions in Yorubaland. According to him, the Alaafin is not just a monarch but a god endowed with extraordinary supernatural powers that set him apart from other Obas.

Chief Akintola extended his congratulations to the newly enthroned Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, highlighting the Alaafin’s embodiment of tradition, spirituality, and unrivaled authority. He underscored the Alaafin’s primacy in the Yoruba nation, stating, “The nomenclature of obaship started with Alaafin, he was the first, the custodian, and when you’re talking about obaship, Alaafin has no rival.”

He further explained the significance of the Alaafin’s position, saying, “An Alaafin is not called Iku Baba Yeye for the fun of it, he is Iku, he is the Arun, he is the Ofo, omo iku ti iku o gbodo pa, Omo arun ti arun ko gbodo se, Omo ofo ti ofo ko gbodo se ni, afi eni ti o ba fe ki ofo o se oun.” This translates to the Alaafin being revered as a superior being with powers beyond those of ordinary mortals.

Chief Akintola emphasized the importance of showing respect to the Alaafin, saying, “You dare not disrespect the Alaafin.” He lamented that politics and government interference have led to the erosion of traditional values, saying, “Because of politics and government interference have come into tradition and traditional institutions. We are now taking so many things for granted.”

When asked by the interviewer, Seun Oyelowo, about the protocol for visiting the Alaafin, Chief Akintola said, “When you enter Alaafin’s palace, you remove your shoes, you remove your cap, no matter who you are, that was how we met it and it was like that till even the last one left (Oba Adeyemi).” He added that the Alaafin is not a king that one looks in the eyeballs, saying, “Let me give you a picture to see how prominent, how efficacious, the position of Alaafin has been, in the past when the Alaafin is passing through other towns, all the traditional rulers in this enclave must not raise up their heads, they bow their heads down.”

Seun Oyelowo further asked for clarity on the relationship between the Alaafin and other traditional rulers, and Chief Akintola responded, “The traditional rulers of whichever enclave bows, because we are talking of the ALAAFIN.”

Chief Akintola also shared a cautionary tale about a governor who disrespected the Alaafin, saying, “But because things are changing, because of modernity, even of recent, one governor was so stupid enough to stretch out his hand to shake Alaafin Adeyemi, he never lived to tell this story. How dare you stretch your hand to an Alaafin, that hand will wither, unless kabiesi himself now stretches his hands to you.” He emphasized that no Yoruba man born from a proper pedigree would stand before an Alaafin and stretch out his hand to shake Alaafin, “it’s not done. It’s not even in your own interest as a visitor but if Alaafin himself decides to honor you and stretches out his hands, it’s a great privilege to have a handshake with an Alaafin.”

Chief Akintola explained that the Alaafin’s influence extends to Oyos in other countries, saying, “The ALAAFIN is not the Alaafin of that enclose Oyo, Alaafin awon Oyo ti o wa ni OFFA ni, Alaafin eni ti o wa ni IJAGBO ni, eni ti o wa ni SAARE, ati awon eni ti o wa ni CUBA, ati ti BRAZIL, ati PORTUGAL.” He emphasized that the Alaafin’s influence transcends the shores of Nigeria, saying, “When you talk of the Oyo Empire, REPUBLIC OF BENIN, TOGO, GHANA are the areas of Oyo Empire.”

He also highlighted the historical significance of the Alaafin, stating that prior to Nigeria’s independence, the colonial masters and authorities of other countries would reference the Alaafin, pay obeisance, and consult the Throne of Alaafin before making major decisions. The Alaafin was the custodian, controlling virtually all the lands, territories, and domains in YorubaLand and beyond.

When asked if the Alaafin should be the rallying point for the Yoruba people, Chief Akintola responded, “Of course, we need a rallying point and the ALAAFIN is in better position to play that role, he has been APPOINTED over the years as the POLITICAL HEAD of Yoruba nation.”

In conclusion, Chief Akintola emphasized the Alaafin’s supremacy, saying, “Alaafin is Number 1 Oba in Yorubaland. It’s Sacrilegious for Any Yoruba Oba to Compete with Alaafin Supremacy.”

Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade was crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo on April 5, 2025, in a grand ceremony that showcased Yoruba cultural heritage, following 21 days of traditional rites. The celebrations featured a cultural carnival parade, Oyo Cultural Heritage Day, and a historic tree planting ceremony, culminating in the Goldberg Big Weekend with performances by Saheed Osupa and Haruna Ishola.