A storm is brewing in Yorubaland as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title recently conferred on Ibadan business tycoon, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
In a fiery statement released on Monday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an “affront” and a direct challenge to the revered authority of the Alaafin, whom he declared holds the exclusive right to bestow titles that cover the entire Yorubaland.
“The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts,” the statement thundered.
According to the Alaafin, the instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi at his installation clearly restricts his authority to Oranmiyan Local Government—now split into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
“He has no mandate to confer a title that covers the whole of Yorubaland. This must stop,” the statement warned.
The Alaafin further stressed that the dignity of the Yoruba traditional institution is being tested and that if the Ooni fails to withdraw the title within 48 hours, “consequences will follow.”
Recounting his unity tour across Yoruba kingdoms, Oba Owoade reiterated that peace and development can only thrive through respect for hierarchy and tradition.
“Our forefathers sacrificed for unity, and we must preserve it. But the Ooni of Ife is mistaking the Alaafin’s peace initiative for weakness, hence these provocative actions,” he declared.
The royal face-off has now set the stage for a historic clash between two of Yorubaland’s foremost monarchs, raising concerns about a looming rift that could shake the delicate balance of traditional authority across the South-West.
