•Group calls for Yoruba global cultural reorganisation, leadership model
The brewing tension between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife has taken a new turn after the Ooni’s media aide, Moses Olafare, dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin, Oba Owoade, over the recent conferment of a chieftaincy title.
It would be recalled that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on a prominent businessman, Dotun Sanusi, fondly called Ilaji.
The move did not go well with the Alaafin, who fired back with a strongly worded statement, ordering the Ooni to revoke the title within 48 hours or face “grave consequences”.
According to Oba Owoade, the Supreme Court recognises the Alaafin as the only traditional ruler with the authority to bestow titles that carry the weight of “Yorubaland.”
He stressed that Ooni’s jurisdiction is limited to his traditional authority — the Ife axis — covering Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. The Alaafin further warned the Ooni not to mistake his calmness for weakness, reminding him that Yoruba tradition does not permit such overreach.
But in a swift reaction, yesterday, Ooni’s Spokesman, Olafare, brushed off the threat, describing it as an “empty one” that is unworthy of any official response.
He said his principal had directed him against issuing a press release on the matter, insisting that the issue was already being handled in the public court of opinion.
“We cannot dignify the undignifiable with an official response.” Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us,” Olafare wrote in a Facebook post.
However, traditional rulers, mogajis, baales, and other stakeholders in Ibadan, yesterday, also berated the Alaafin of Oyo for issuing an ultimatum to Ooni of Ife to revoke the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on Sanusi.
In a statement signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, AsimiyuAriori, and the Coordinator of Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Nurudeen Akinade, on behalf of the Ibadan stakeholders, described Alaafin Owoade’s position as an affront on Ibadanland.
They noted that the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland was conferred on Sanusi years ago by Oba Ogunwusi during an event at Ilaji Hotels and Sport Resorts, stressing that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, never opposed the honour.
The stakeholders further described Alaafin’s stance as “provocative and divisive,” accusing him of attempting to extend unnecessary conflicts to Ibadanland.
Also, the Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, Osun State, Oba Omotooyosi Akinleye, in a post shared on his official X account, has cautioned against actions capable of undermining the authority of the Ooni, whom he described as the custodian of the ancestral throne of the Yoruba people.
The Olukosi, who maintained that while Yoruba monarchs hold influence within their domains, Ooni remains the spiritual father of the race, said: “Alaafin’s authority ends in Oyoland. Owa Obokun’s authority ends in Ijesaland. Awujale’s authority ends in Ijebuland. Alake’s authority ends on Egba land.”
He said that the throne of Oduduwa, occupied by the Ooni of Ife, represents the heritage of all Yoruba people, adding that disputes over titles and recognitions should not degenerate into confrontations among traditional rulers.
Meanwhile, a group, the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), yesterday, waded into the chieftaincy dispute, stressing that the matter transcends traditional rivalry and touches on the very essence of Yoruba civilisation.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro described the Yoruba as a cross-continental nation with significant influence across Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and beyond.
