The Spokesperson for Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Moses Olafare, has described the 48-hour threat by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to his principal over the reversal of the title conferred on a popular Ibadan-based business mogul, Dotun Sanusi, as an empty threat.
In a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch asserted that the Ooni lacks the exclusive right to confer the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on the businessman.
He fumed that the Ooni’s action challenged his authority, adding that the exclusive right to confer titles that extend across Yorubaland rests solely with the Alaafin.
He explained that the Ooni’s instrument of office confines his authority to the Oranmiyan Local Government, which has since been divided into Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.
Owoade, therefore, demanded the revocation of the title within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would attract consequences.
The monarch recalled his unity tour across Yorubaland, where he emphasised that the peace and unity of the region remain the foundation for meaningful and sustainable development.
However, in a post via his Facebook page on Tuesday, Olafare disclosed that the Ooni had particularly directed him to ignore the revered Oyo monarch.
According to Olafare, the Ooni will not dignify what he described as “undignifyable” with an official response, stressing that he had left the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion.
The post read, “My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press.
“We cannot dignify the ‘undignifyable’ with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion, as it is already being treated.
“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. No Press Release please (sic) 48 Hours My Foot!!!”
