The crisis of royal authority: Yoruba monarchs admit the institution has lost its way

Four prominent Yoruba traditional rulers have expressed support for the forthcoming 49th edition of Boiling Point Arena, describing the planned discourse on cultural disrespect as a timely intervention capable of stimulating introspection, institutional reforms and a renewed commitment to the preservation of Yoruba heritage.

The endorsement was made in separate interviews ahead of the programme scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE INTERVENTION

The monarchs said the growing controversy surrounding the conduct of some traditional rulers had exposed the urgent need to restore the traditional values, cultural discipline and ethical standards associated with the Yoruba institution.

They expressed optimism that the discourse would serve as a learning opportunity for traditional rulers, particularly those who might have lost sight of the responsibilities and cultural obligations attached to their exalted positions.

The monarchs are Oba Dr Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila in Osun State; Oba Dr Michael Odunayo Ajayi, the Elerinmo of Erinmo, also in Osun State; and Oba Abolanle Azeez Yusuf Odebola, the Olu Asaroko of Ife (Aleja I).

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, is the Keynote Speaker of the Boiling Point Arena discourse hosted by veteran broadcaster, Ayo Arowojolu.

The conversation, scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 8 p.m., will feature Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, a respected cultural icon; Chief Dare Babarinsa, veteran journalist and media personality; and Chief Bode Mustapha, an Egba high chief and businessman.

“NO MAN IS A REPOSITORY OF KNOWLEDGE” — ORANGUN OF OKE-ILA

For the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Abolarin, the forthcoming discourse represents an important opportunity for traditional rulers to subject themselves to constructive scrutiny and continuous learning.

Describing the platform as robust and intellectually stimulating, Oba Abolarin said no individual, irrespective of status or position, could claim to be a repository of all knowledge.

He maintained that traditional rulers, in particular, must constantly examine their conduct and responsibilities against the cultural expectations of the institution they represent.

“The upcoming Boiling Point Arena discourse will be a major intervention, being a robust and intellectually stimulating platform. No man is a repository of knowledge and continuous learning is good for all of us to see ourselves in the mirror,” he said.

According to him, traditional rulers occupy their respective thrones primarily to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of their people, a responsibility that demands exceptional integrity and a high sense of propriety.

Oba Abolarin argued that the very qualification of a traditional ruler should be reflected in conduct that places him above ordinary considerations, insisting that occupants of royal stools must uphold everything that is decent and honourable.

“IT IS AN ABERRATION” — ELERINMO of ERINMO

Taking a more institutional approach, the Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba Ajayi, attributed some of the troubling developments in the traditional institution to the absence of clearly defined constitutional responsibilities for traditional rulers in Nigeria.

He described the present situation as an aberration, lamenting that the conduct of some monarchs was giving the traditional institution an undeserved negative image.

According to him, the absence of a clearly defined legal and institutional framework for the traditional institution has contributed to the situation in which some traditional rulers operate without adequate guidance on the limits of their authority and expected responsibilities.

“What is happening today is an aberration as some traditional rulers are giving us a bad image. The issue of cultural disrespect emanates from the absence of constitutional role for monarchs in Nigeria,” he argued.

Oba Ajayi advocated the restoration of constitutionally recognised roles for traditional rulers, stressing that such provisions would help establish clearer boundaries of authority, responsibilities and acceptable conduct.

Beyond constitutional recognition, the monarch proposed the establishment of a peer-review mechanism through which traditional rulers could independently mediate disputes involving their colleagues and recommend appropriate corrective measures.

He also called for a more rigorous revival of the traditional Ipebi institution, describing it as an indispensable process in preparing prospective monarchs for the responsibilities and cultural demands of the throne.

According to him, the period of seclusion traditionally associated with the preparation of an incoming monarch must not be circumvented, shortened or treated as a mere ceremonial formality.

He explained that Ipebi provides an opportunity for prospective monarchs to acquire the necessary cultural knowledge, behavioural discipline and understanding of the sacred responsibilities they are about to assume.

The Elerinmo further advocated a formal induction programme for newly installed monarchs, through which their relationships with the community, cultural obligations and expected standards of behaviour would be properly defined.

He insisted that such interventions should be institutionalised rather than introduced as emergency responses whenever controversies arise.

Making a specific reference to the controversy surrounding the public display of a monarch’s uncovered head, Oba Ajayi maintained that proper traditional training would make such conduct unthinkable to those who understand the cultural significance of the royal crown and headgear.

“For those of us who went through proper training, we know that a traditional ruler is not supposed to open his head in the public. The head is the most important part of a body. The cap you put on is sacred. My own cap is not ordinary,” he declared.

He attributed what he described as undue display of rascality by some traditional rulers to ignorance, inadequate cultural preparation and a poor understanding of the institution they represent.

The monarch, however, expressed satisfaction that the Osun State Government had taken up the matter involving the erring monarch, suggesting that appropriate institutional responses were necessary to preserve the dignity of the traditional institution.

“THE FOUNDATION HAS BECOME ROTTEN” — OLU ASAROKO

Similarly, the Olu Asaroko of Ife, Oba Odebola, lamented what he described as the growing obsession with titles and self-aggrandisement among some traditional rulers.

He argued that the primary purpose of occupying a traditional throne should be to uplift the people, promote community development and transform the traditional domain into a more prosperous and urbanised environment.

Oba Odebola commended Boiling Point Arena for initiating what he described as a bold intervention to arrest the damage being done to Yoruba culture and the growing disrespect for traditional values by some occupants of royal stools.

He said he was personally disturbed by the developments, recalling the reverence traditionally accorded the institution during the reign of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.

According to him, the level of respect enjoyed by the late monarch was such that people of his generation grew up regarding the Ooni almost as a supernatural personality.

He expressed concern that the dignity and mystique historically associated with the Yoruba throne were gradually being undermined by conduct that disregarded established cultural conventions.

The Olu Asaroko also traced the problem to what he described as the weakening of the traditional processes leading to the selection and installation of monarchs. He lamented that established procedures were increasingly being abandoned, with some people emerging as traditional rulers without the cultural background, preparation and community credentials traditionally expected of prospective occupants of royal stools.

He particularly expressed concern over the diminishing importance attached to Ifa divination in the traditional selection process, arguing that the role of Ifa in providing spiritual and cultural direction should not be sidelined.

According to him, prospective monarchs were historically expected to have been observed within their communities and found worthy of the responsibilities of the throne before their eventual selection.

He also blamed the weakening of the Ipebi institution and the growing influence of money in traditional succession processes for some of the challenges confronting the institution.

“Before somebody can be pronounced an Oba, he must have been watched in the society to be above board. And then the Ipebi culture have become thoroughly weakened. Most of our Obas have no cultural background. They come out of nowhere and are pronounced king,” he lamented.

Oba Odebola further argued that the integrity of traditional succession processes had been compromised by poverty, economic pressures and the alleged inducement of some traditional kingmakers.

He maintained that the traditional Ifa institution, which he described as an important guide in the selection of deserving candidates, had also suffered from the vulnerability of some practitioners to financial inducements.

He warned that unless the traditional institution returned to its established cultural foundations, the situation could deteriorate further.

“These days many worship money. Integrity is no longer a consideration, the foundation has become rotten and until we go back to the way it was being done before, things will get worse,” he warned.

WHY IT MATTERS

The interventions of the four monarchs are a rare moment of self-examination within the Yoruba traditional institution.

They are not defending the status quo. They are admitting that something has gone wrong. They are calling for constitutional recognition, peer review, the revival of Ipebi, the restoration of Ifa, and the removal of money from the selection process.

Their voices will enrich the conversation at the 49th edition of Boiling Point Arena, which will examine the subject: “Yoruba Obas, Cultural Desecration and the Crisis of Royal Authority: The Dividing Line Between Cultural Change and Cultural Disrespect.”

Boiling Point Arena is a hybrid media discourse platform that combines Zoom participation, YouTube transmission and live relay through seven partner radio stations in Lagos, Ogun and Delta States.

The discourse holds tonight at 8 p.m. The Obas have spoken. The conversation is about to begin. ValidViewNetwork reports.