‘We Are No Longer in the Era of the Oyo Empire’ — Tinubu’s Aide Urges Yoruba Monarchs to Embrace Modern Governance

A Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has entered the growing controversy surrounding the leadership of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, urging traditional rulers in Yorubaland to adapt to the realities of modern governance and place unity, peace, and development above historical rivalry and claims of supremacy.

Ajayi made his position known in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday night, where he argued that the age of empires and territorial dominance among traditional institutions had long passed. Drawing parallels from global history, he noted that even once-powerful empires such as Rome and the United Kingdom no longer exercise authority over their former colonies, underscoring the irreversible evolution of political and social systems worldwide.

According to him, Nigeria, like the rest of the world, has moved beyond monarchical empires into a modern democratic state where governance is defined by constitutional structures rather than historical conquests or inherited supremacy.

“We are no longer in the era of the Oyo Empire,” Ajayi wrote. “Rome and the United Kingdom, which once ruled over vast portions of the world as empires, can no longer claim sovereignty over their former colonies. Times have changed. We are now living in a new world.”

He further explained that while the Oyo Empire occupies a revered place in Yoruba history, it belongs firmly in the past and should not be used as a basis for asserting dominance in contemporary governance. Ajayi stressed that the historical reach of the empire did not encompass the entirety of present-day Yorubaland, a reality that should guide present-day interactions among Yoruba monarchs.

“Oyo Empire now belongs to history, and the whole of what we now know as Yorubaland was never under the rule of the Alaafin,” he stated. “Society will function better if our traditional rulers understand their roles within modern society.”

Ajayi’s comments come against the backdrop of rising tension following the inauguration of the new Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs by Governor Seyi Makinde. The governor had appointed the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the pioneer chairman of the council for a two-year term, introducing a rotational leadership system that would also include the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

Governor Makinde explained that the decision was reached after consultations with the three prominent monarchs, adding that they had all agreed to the rotational arrangement in the interest of fairness, balance, and harmony among traditional institutions in the state.

However, the Alaafin of Oyo was noticeably absent during the inauguration ceremony and later released a statement disputing the governor’s claim. The Alaafin insisted that he was neither consulted nor did he give consent to the rotational chairmanship arrangement, a denial that intensified public debate and heightened tension between the Oyo Palace and the state government.

Reacting to the unfolding dispute, Ajayi cautioned against rivalry and confrontation among traditional rulers, warning that such tensions could undermine their moral authority and relevance in contemporary society. He encouraged Yoruba monarchs to see themselves as partners rather than competitors, working collectively to preserve cultural heritage while contributing meaningfully to peace and development.

“Our kings should now work collaboratively to preserve peace, unity, and development in their communities, while also safeguarding our cultural values,” he advised.

The remarks have sparked mixed reactions across social and political circles, with some Nigerians applauding Ajayi for stating what they consider a hard truth about modern governance, while others accuse him of disrespecting revered traditional institutions.

Nonetheless, the controversy has reopened a broader national conversation about the place of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s democratic framework — a debate that balances respect for history and culture with the practical realities of constitutional governance in the 21st century.