Madam Tinuade Mabel Onaneye, who holds the chieftaincy title of Erelu Oodua, has described those parading themselves as Obas in the diaspora as royal impersonators.
Erelu Oodua made this known on Thursday in a statement made available to Starnews (Starnews.com.ng) by Ogungbemi Adeyemi, her Media Aide, in Okitipupa local government of Ondo State.
She also spoke on the reason she backed down from her vitriolic criticism of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom.
”As the custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage and traditional value, I will always speak against any form of affront against the Yoruba royalty. While I have backed down on my somewhat vitriolic criticism of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, I still maintain my earlier stand that such act is not only alien to our culture but a slap to all the Yorubas across the world and such unholy marriage would not be consummated.”
”Moreover, like some self- aggrandized individuals are making stories out of my well thought out decision to sue for peace, be informed that a peaceful co-existence is not the absence of criticism. I am a well cultured and thoroughly bred royal princess. I believe humility is a virtue in Yoruba land, the very reason I yielded to the entreaties made by some highly respected Obas that I should embrace peace while I maintain my stand. I did not and I would not collect money from anybody to sell my conscience.”
”However, let me state it unequivocally here that there is no Oba in diaspora, but royal impersonators. Alaafin, Oonirisa and the entire Obas in Yoruba nation condemned the acts. Be aware that Olugbo of Ugbo did not install these so-called obas. They were already parading themselves as Oba before they hang on Oba Olugbo.”
”I challenge these illegal Obas in diaspora to go back to their native lands and introduce themselves if they would be accorded such honour as deserving of a true royal-blooded Oba”.
”Finally, I warn those fanning the embers of discord and rumour mongers to desist from being agents of disunity, else they will face the wrath of the gods. Peace can only be achieved when there is mutual understanding and respect,” Erelu Oodua said in the statement.
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