The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has requested the approval of South-West governors to pursue the individuals responsible for the deaths of three Yoruba monarchs.
In an open letter addressed to Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji on Tuesday, Adams expressed his ability to handle those he referred to as enemies of Yoruba land. However, he emphasized the need for the governors’ permission to proceed with his actions.
Allub Times reports that suspected kidnappers recently killed two Ekiti monarchs: the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola; and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, while the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped.
A few days later, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara State, was tragically killed at night when attackers invaded his palace.
In his message, Adams expressed concern about the safety of the Yoruba race, emphasizing that “the more than 60 million Yorubas living in the South-West, South-South, and North-Central of Nigeria are troubled.”
In 2020, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, in Ondo State, was tragically killed by suspected herdsmen shortly after leaving Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s office.
Adams noted that this kind of unprecedented occurrence, where three Obas were killed within just four days had never happened.
“When I was installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land by the (late) Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on January 13, 2018, I vowed, before the distinguished audience, that I would do everything to project the image and protect the name of Yoruba land.
“Sadly, my zeal to protect Yoruba land, and the will of millions of Yoruba to defend their fatherland, are being tested with the invasion of some parts of our land by these killers.”
“I told them that, as the Aare Ona Kakanfo, I have the capacity and the network to deal with enemies of Yoruba land. But, I reminded them that even in the days of yore, the Aare Ona Kakanfo must get permission from the Alaafin of Oyo before embarking on any conquest.
“Now, we are in the 21st century, elected governors are the Chief Security Officers of their respective states. For me to move against enemies of Yoruba in this land, I will need their permission and cooperation.
“Aside the Oodua Peoples Congress, which has solid networks in all the wards, villages, towns and cities in Yoruba land, I also control 13 other groups working with the OPC.
“We already have the troops and logistics to flush out undesirable elements in the land but I need the permission of our governors.
“Your Excellency sir, for this war to be fought effectively, coordination is central. And as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, I have my strategy and I am ready to give you my maximum support as the Chief Security Officer of your state. I can assure you that within six months, insecurity will reduce drastically across the South-West.
“I write to have an urgent meeting with Your Excellency and other governors on this threat to our collective existence. Obviously, the agenda will centre on security in Yoruba land. All the governors will also decide the date, venue and time for the meeting.
“It is high time we stopped this cancer that is spreading its virus across Yoruba land. We must act now before the situation becomes unbearable.”
