A fierce supremacy battle is unfolding 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 withdrawal of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title recently conferred on Ibadan businessman, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement on Monday signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as “an affront” and “a violation of Yoruba tradition,” insisting that only the Alaafin reserves the authority to confer titles with Yoruba-wide recognition.
“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 read.
According to the Alaafin, the Ooni’s constitutional and traditional powers are restricted to Ife land, specifically Oranmiyan Local Government—now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
He warned that the Ooni’s decision undermines the sanctity of Yoruba traditional institutions and could trigger grave consequences if the title is not revoked within 48 hours.
“He has no mandate to confer a title that covers the whole of Yorubaland. This must stop,” the Alaafin declared.
The monarch also accused the Ooni of mistaking his ongoing unity tour of Yoruba kingdoms for weakness, stressing that peace and development can only thrive when traditional hierarchy is respected.
“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,” Oba Owoade said.
The dramatic face-off has raised concerns over a looming rift between the two foremost monarchs in Yorubaland, potentially unsettling the fragile balance of traditional authority across the South-West.
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