A serious royal supremacy dispute is unfolding in Yorubaland as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of a chieftaincy title recently conferred on a prominent businessman.
The Ooni had bestowed the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan-based entrepreneur, Dotun Sanusi—an act the Alaafin described as a violation of tradition and a challenge to his authority as the paramount ruler of the Yoruba people.
In a strongly worded statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of overstepping his traditional boundaries and disregarding a Supreme Court ruling that he claims vests exclusive authority for conferring pan-Yoruba chieftaincy titles in the Alaafin alone.
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“The conferment of a chieftaincy title concerning the entirety of Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland, but also a breach of the Supreme Court’s ruling,” the statement read.
The Alaafin asserted that the Ooni’s traditional jurisdiction is limited to the Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas of Osun State, and does not extend to the broader Yoruba nation.
He accused the Ooni of acting as though he were above the law, claiming his actions have consistently undermined both the authority of fellow traditional rulers and the nation’s judiciary.
“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as though there is no authority to check him. His sense of being ‘above the law’ has emboldened him to walk over everyone, including the Supreme Court,” the statement continued.
Warning of potential consequences, the Alaafin demanded that the Ooni rescind the title within 48 hours or face unspecified but “dire” repercussions. He emphasised that his consistent advocacy for peace should not be mistaken for weakness or submission.
“It appears the Ooni of Ife has misinterpreted the Alaafin’s peace efforts and goodwill as signs of weakness, prompting him to take decisions that are not only ultra vires, but also derogatory to the dignity of the Alaafin,” the palace stated.
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While the specific repercussions of non-compliance were not disclosed, the Alaafin stressed the need for unity, respect for hierarchy, and strict adherence to cultural traditions in order to ensure peace and progress in Yorubaland.
As of the time of this report, the Ooni of Ife has not responded publicly to the ultimatum.
