A fresh royal controversy has erupted in Yorubaland as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has issued a stern warning to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of a chieftaincy title conferred on a business tycoon, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
In a strongly worded statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the conferment of the title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on Sanusi as an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, who, according to him, holds the exclusive authority to bestow titles covering the entirety of Yorubaland.
“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to check and call him to order,” the statement read. “Because of this ‘above the law’ syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s back, including the apex court of the country, the Supreme Court, which had ruled on the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin to confer any chieftaincy title that covers the whole of Yorubaland.”
The Alaafin further argued that the Ooni’s traditional jurisdiction, as specified in his instrument of office, is restricted to the Ife area – namely Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas.
He gave the Ooni 48 hours to revoke the chieftaincy title or face unspecified consequences.
Oba Owoade also recalled his earlier unity tour across Yoruba kingdoms, where he emphasized the importance of peace and togetherness for regional development.
“It is the joy of our forefathers for us to be in unity, and they did their part in ensuring peace in Yorubaland. We must also strive to achieve this. God Himself is involved in our matter; therefore, we must always be concerned about peace and unity,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The Alaafin warned that the Ooni’s action undermines this unity drive and could derail efforts toward collective progress in Yorubaland.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ooni of Ife has not responded to the Alaafin’s demand.
