Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland has reiterated that his ranking of the Yoruba Obas is valid and also promised to show evidence to support his claim.
Through his Special Adviser on media Affairs, Chief Lai Labode, the Alake stated that he is not interested in whipping up any controversy with anyone on the ranking issue.
While receiving the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in Abeokuta on Saturday, February 6, the Alake had stated that the Ooni of Ife remains the highest of all principal Obas in Yorubaland.
He had listed the Aalafin of Oyo to be next in ranking followed by the Oba of Benin then his own office, the Alake of Egbaland leaving the Awujale of Ijebuland to rank fifth.
In reaction, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom (traditional head), Chief David Edebiri had taken exception to the ranking labeling the Alake’s statement as ‘unnecessary excursion, an unnecessary attempt to turn history upside down’.
Esogban, who is the third in command in the palace of the Oba of Benin, said ‘the Ooni of Ife by historical facts, is a son of the Oba of Benin, so they are not in the same class’.
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