War brews between the royal circuits of Eko and Ile Ife, like badly brewed beer. It gives a heady whiff, intoxicating the two kingdoms and goading them into a protracted and very dirty supremacy tussle and slugfest. The major characters are, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The cool kindliness of silk, that smoothens away trouble and allays fears was all he sought but when Ooni of Ife Oba Ogunwusi encountered Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday, Akiolu gave him the rough, sandy kiss of the foot mat. The footage of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu disrespecting the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ojaja II, at a function has been trending on social media. Also in the footage is the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.
It is such a shameful sight to see two paramount rulers and custodians of Yoruba cultural heritage, bicker and fight, like cantankerous teens jostling for the love of a mutual crush. But unlike the anecdotal teens, they are not at loggerheads over some teen crush, both traditional rulers are at war over issues of prestige and seniority.
As the issue lingers, it has been revealed that those who are supposed to settle the dispute between the Obas are the ones fanning the embers of discord, thereby adding fuel to an already raging inferno. The Obas are supposed to be leaders by example and to bring peace in time of discord among their subjects, but this festering dispute portrays them otherwise.