Pan-Yoruba group urges Olubadan to abolish Sarkin Sasa stool

March 09, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

A pan-Yoruba group, Think Yoruba First (TYF), has called on the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakukehin, to abolish the Sarkin Sasa stool in Sasa, citing its lack of legal and historical basis.

The group’s president, Mr. Oladimeji Bolarinwa, expressed concerns over the recent appointment of a new Sarkin Sasa following the demise of Alhaji Haruna Mai-Yatsin Katsina.

TYF believes that retaining the Sarkin Sasa stool would establish an Hausa-Fulani ruling dynasty in Ibadanland, which is unacceptable and must be resisted to protect the rights and heritage of the indigenous Yoruba people.

TYF also recalled a letter protesting against Alhaji Haruna Mai-Yatsin Katsina’s alleged unlawful installation as the Sarkin Hausawa of Sasa in 1979/1980.

The group maintains that the appointment of the late Alhaji Haruna’s biological son as the new Sarkin Sasa is a deliberate attempt to institutionalize Hausa-Fulani hegemony in Sasa.

The group urged the Oyo State Government to ensure that only legally recognized traditional leadership structures are permitted within Ibadan.

Additionally, TYF suggested renaming Sasa to “Abuledoja” or “Fijabi” to reflect the culture and heritage of the area.

In 2021, the past Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, had stated that Alhaji Haruna Mai-Yatsin Katsina was under the Baale of Sasa, Chief Amusa Akinade Ajani.