Alaafin has no rival, superior to other traditional rulers – Niyi Akintola

May 16, 2025

By Adedoja Adesoji

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Niyi Akintola, has described the Alaafin as a ‘god’ with no rival among other traditional leaders.

Speaking on Honour FM, Ibadan, Akintola emphasized the Alaafin’s superiority over other traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

“Alaafin is not a king that you look at. He has no rival. In the past, when the Alaafin is passing through other towns, the traditional ruler in those enclaves must not raise up their head.

“They will face the ground and be hailing him, Kabiyesi,” he said.

Akintola further explained that the Alaafin is at the apex of Obaship in Yorubaland, adding that the nomenclature of Obaship itself started with the Alaafin.

“The nomenclature of obaship itself in Yorubaland started with Alaafin. So when you’re talking about Obaship, Alaafin is at the apex. He has no rival,” he stated.

He also criticized a governor for stretching out his hand to greet Alaafin Adeyemi, saying it’s not the traditional protocol.

“Of recent, one Governor was stupid enough to stretch out his hand to greet Alaafin Adeyemi. How dare you stretch out to the Alaafin? Until the Kabiyesi himself stretches his hand to you, no Yoruba man born from a proper pedigree will stand before an Alaafin and stretch out his hand to him. It’s not done,” he noted.