Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, has called for unity between the Iba Gani Adams faction and that of the Late Frederick Fasehun of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), saying nothing could be achieved with a house divided.
He spoke on Thursday when he received Adams’ in the Benin palace.
The foremost monarch also recalled that Adams predecessor to the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, was a prominent figure in Nigeria, who enjoyed much fame, honour, wealth and reverence from all over the world.
Speaking in the split in OPC, Oba Ewuare said: “There’s need for unity and peace among all the leaders of OPC in Benin.
“We have Aare Gani Adams here in the palace. By virtue of his position as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams remains the holder of a sacred stool.
“He is the Generalissimo of Yoruba race and he is the leader of OPC.
So, I urge you all to support him as ambassadors of the organisation and also ensure there is peace wherever you are as members of OPC.”
In his remarks, Adams expressed appreciation to the reverred monarch for his hospitality, saying he is a beneficiary of the sacred stool of the Benin.
He said Oranmiyan was the first King of the Benin before becoming the Alaafin of Oyo, adding that, the Alaafin of Oyo is the only king in Yoruba land that has the singular honour to appoint the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land.
The Yoruba Generalissimo stated further that Benin was rich in culture and tradition, stating also that the people of Benin had always
exhibited unprecedented respect for the reverred stool.
“I appreciate the Oba of Benin for his hospitality. Oba Ewuare has demonstrated that Benin is truly the home of culture and tradition.
“This is evident in the way the Benin people preserve their culture and tradition as well as the way they seek the return of their cultural artefacts from abroad.
“Benin has remained a reference point in the promotion of culture and tradition. We appreciate the palace for this great gesture and I believe strongly that now is the time for us to unite and form a strong front that would enhance peace, unity and progress of the Yoruba race”.
Iba Adams vowed to promote the interest of the Yoruba race and also protect the traditional institution and cultural identity of the Yoruba race.
In affirmation of the historical link between Yoruba and Benin monarchies, Aare Onakankanfo (Military Commander of Yoruba Land), Gani Adams, has relived ancient memories of how Oranmiyan reigned over Benin Kingdom before he later founded Oyo Kingdom centuries ago.
Oranmiyan — the son of Oduduwa, known as Izoduwa in Edo Language connotation, was the forerunner of the Benin Royal dynasty.
In a press statement signed by Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Chief Press Secretary to Oba of Benin, yesterday, the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, admitted being one of the beneficiaries of the Benin traditional stool as a son of Oranmiyan, who gave him the opportunity to rise to this height in life.
He said, “I am one of the beneficiaries of your stool, your Majesty, because Oranmiyan later founded Oyo Kingdom, and had been on this throne before. If not for Oranmiyan who founded Oyo, I would not have the opportunity to be Aare OnaKankanfo of Yorubaland. So, I am in front of my father.
“I perceive myself as your son because the reflection of my father Oranmiyan is on this stool. We are here to give a normal orientation to our members in O’odua People’s Congress (OPC)”.
“The OPC is a big platform that is working to consolidate our records of success.We have the South West Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG) with over 14 groups and other groups are also coming on board to ensure that Yoruba land is safe.
“So, going forward, I will continue to fulfil my promise to seek unity and peace in Yoruba land as I have promised on January 13, 2018, when I became the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land in Oyo.”
He said the open-Air NCC meeting in Benin, Edo State provided an opportunity for the OPC to sensitise the public on the activities of the organisation, adding that, the socio- cultural organisation under his leadership as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land was ready to promote peace and also accommodate other groups to ensure peace across Yoruba land and beyond.
No fewer than 25 Benin Chiefs-in- Council were present at the palace during the visit of the Aare Ona Kakanfo.
