South West monarchs warn over declaration of Gwoza ‘caliphate’

IBADAN—ROYAL Fathers in South West of Nigeria, yesterday warned that recent declaration of Gwoza ‘caliphate’ in the North-Eastern part of the country by the Islamic Fundamentalists,  Boko Haram, was meant to provoke the country to full scale war.

Speaking through the Chairman Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, Oba Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, who is the Olugbo of Igboland, argued that it was impossible to declare a republic within republic.

The Chairman said “We are fighting guerilla war. We should not blame the FG because the president has to be very careful.

It is difficult to fight because it is a guerilla war. About caliphate being declared by Boko Haram in Gwosa, it is meant to provoke the country. It is not possible to declare a republic within republic. It can never be possible.”

He hinted that the age long royal battle among Yoruba monarchs including Alaafin-Ooni feud would soon be a thing of the past, saying “the committee is more determined to bring all the kings in the South West together under the same roof and amicably resolve all grey issues that could fan ember of disunity.

It is not easy to repair a damaged thing. All of us in the committee are happy that the peace efforts we are making are already yielding results. We would ensure that peace reigns among Yoruba Obas.

No other Oba in Yorubaland had ever made any effort in reconciling our monarchs. We thank God because our efforts are yielding fruits. We receive calls across the country and beyond acknowledging our reconciliatory  moves.

“At the commencement of the reconciliation,  we received the blessings of Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo, Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebuland, Soun of Ogbomoso, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

At one of the meetings we organised, we knew the cause of the age long crisis between two prominent Yoruba Obas and very soon, we will bring the two of them together and resolve it amicably.

Reconciliation is a gradual process and every day, we are moving closer to the end of the age long rivalry.

Everybody is coming to the understanding and appreciation of the fact that we the traditional rulers in the South-West geo-political zone must come together and speak with one voice in order to get our share of national recognition.

We are now all aware of the marginalization of the Yoruba in the affairs of the country which the President, Goodluck Jonathan has just been addressing. It is as a result of the lack of unity among us the traditional rulers that has been responsible and we are addressing it.”