Alaafin of Oyo Demands Ooni of Ife Reverse Chieftaincy Title Within “48 Hours”.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern demand to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi. In a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin condemned the Ooni’s action as a direct challenge to his authority.
Oba Abimbola asserted that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to grant titles encompassing all of Yorubaland, accusing the Ooni of overstepping his traditional jurisdiction. He noted that the Ooni’s authority is confined to Oranmiyan Local Government, now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling that upholds his sole prerogative in such matters, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s decision as unlawful and a violation of traditional protocol. He has issued a clear ultimatum, demanding the title’s revocation within “48 hours” or face consequences.
The Alaafin emphasised that his commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness, denouncing the Ooni’s action as disrespectful to the revered institution of the Alaafin, widely regarded as the Titan of Yorubaland.
This escalating dispute highlights tensions over traditional authority in Yorubaland, with the Alaafin’s ultimatum placing significant pressure on the Ooni to act swiftly. As the deadline looms, the region awaits the Ooni’s response and the potential implications of this clash between two of Yorubaland’s most prominent monarchs.