The Olosi of Osi-Ekiti, Oba Stephen Alabi, has stated that any prince aspiring to the throne of their forefathers owes a sacred duty to preserve its precepts and traditions in full measure.
Oba Alabi told news men in Ibadan on Monday, that even those who do not eventually become the Oba owe the same sacred duty.
He advocated for traditional rulers to be buried in accordance with Yoruba customs, distinct from Islamic or Christian rites.
He argued that imposing personal faith on an ancient communal throne was misguided, just as he dismissed claims of barbaric practices in Oba burials as baseless.
“In law, there is volenti non fit injuria, which means, in the context of the present issue, that a Prince, who knowingly and voluntarily takes the throne, cannot resile from the tradition attached to it.
“As far as I know, the Yorubas have been a highly civilised people from time immemorial. The stools we occupy date back to antiquity.
“Every civilisation has its ways of burying its dead. The Oba does not even die, but joins his ancestors.
“How, therefore, can someone who does not die be buried? We must not demonise the Yoruba monarchy,” the royal father and law lecturer said.
News Men report that Oba Alabi, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has proven competencies in media, law, sports, and resource management spanning many years.
Oba Alabi based his argument on the recent controversies surrounding the traditional rites for burying the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ogun State.
He recalled that the International Council for Ifa Religion recently threatened to sue the Ogun State Government and the late royal father’s family over alleged violations.
Oba Alabi further recalled that the traditionalists vowed to correct what they termed an anomaly and a departure from the traditional practices of the Yoruba people in paying last respects to a deceased royal father.
