In Yorubaland, the ranking of – Kings or Obas – has been a topic which has generated much controversy over the years.

Moreso, the issue was once more raised as reactions continue to trail the snubbing of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.

In what seem like an answer to the lingering question of who are the most powerful kings in Yorubaland, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo , revealed the top 5 paramount rulers in Yorubaland while making remarks in Lagos during the launch of an Endowment Fund for a Chair at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago – Iwoye in March, 2016.

Here are there positions:

1. Ooni of Ife– is the most powerful king in Yorubaland. According to Alake, the Oni is the first of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland just like the Sultan is the highest ruler in northern Nigeria.

2. Alaafin of Oyo– second in ranking of Obas in Yorubaland. The Oyo Dynasty dates back to the Old Oyo empire which recognises Alaafin as emperor.

3. Oba of Benin – in some quarters, it is believed that the Oba of Benin is the highest as he heads the Eweka dynasty of the great Benin Kingdom. It is also said that the Yoruba people descended from Benin hence, the title of Oba, used to mean king was first created by Oba Eweka 1, Benin’s first Oba who ascended in 1180.

4. Alake of Egbaland – is the paramount ruler of Egbaland in Ogun State. Egba consists of Egba Alake, Owu Kingdom, Oke-Ana and Gbagura.

5. Awujale of Ijebuland – is the least of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland. Ijebu kingdom dates back to pre-colonial period of 15th century.

http://kikiotolu.com/see-ranking-of-obas-in-yorubaland/

Lalasticlala Mynd44 Dominique Fynestboi Ishilove

The controversy is always between the Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo.
To me, Ooni is higher in rank than Alaafin.

x

It should be like this.....

Oba of benin: headed vast territories including the yorubas .ruler of the south and the north... It is proven that the last ogiso son migrated to ife and became king he then named the place ile ni fe ( i ran to sucess) corrupted to ile ife ( land of love)

Ooni of ife : he was the last ogiso son he established vast territories including the oyo


Alafin of oyo: a vast empire just like the benin but fell before the benin empire it had most yorubas territories to itself before the colapse....

I have to ask, why do Yorubas appear to be so obsessed with ranking their traditional rulers? No month passes on Nairaland without someone putting up one ranking or the other of the Yoruba Obas.

and y did u include oba of Benin they say them no be yoruba y u con dy add those king

and y did u include oba of Benin they say them no be yoruba y u con dy add those king

why do people just like creating topics that breeds controversy and tribal jabs..don't you have a better topic...who this ranking help?...are the obas complaining?... who gave you the right to rank OVAs?...are you an expert in kingship hierarchy matters?..all this bloggers and lies...nansense....let this matter rest!!

RedboneSmith:
I have to ask, why do Yorubas appear to be so obsessed with ranking their traditional rulers? No month passes on Nairaland without someone putting up one ranking or the other of the Yoruba Obas.

The worse is that they keep including non Yoruba Kings. The Oba of Benin is still not yoruba and doesn't wish to become one.

Abeg we are Yorubas, Benins are Benins, I don't see why we should include the Benin oba whenever we are talking about obas in Yoruba land, we don't belong together, you are just giving credence to the rubbish these useless olori pelebes are pedling about us forcing the Benins to be a part of us, they are not and they can never be, we don't share the same language,culture and traditional values, so let them be please

muystoy:
Abeg we are Yorubas, Benins are Benins, I don't see why we should include the Benin oba whenever we are talking about obas in Yoruba land, we don't belong together, you are just giving credence to the rubbish these useless olori pelebes are pedling about us forcing the Benins to be a part of us, they are not and they can never be, we don't share the same language,culture and traditional values, so let them be please

Even you can see it....