The spokesperson of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has dismissed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
Alaafin Demands Revocation of Title
The Alaafin, through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, had demanded that the Ooni revoke the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on Sanusi.
In a strongly worded statement, Durojaiye argued that only the Alaafin holds the traditional authority to bestow titles covering the entire Yorubaland.
“The conferment of chieftaincy titles concerning Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is an affront to the institution of the Alaafin, who holds the exclusive right to such honours,” the statement read.
He accused the Ooni of “acting above the law” and ignoring a Supreme Court ruling which, according to him, affirmed that the prerogative of conferring titles with jurisdiction across Yorubaland rests with the Alaafin.
Durojaiye further claimed that the Ooni’s authority is limited to the Oranmiyan Local Government Area, now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South in Osun State.
The Alaafin’s camp therefore demanded that the Ooni revoke Sanusi’s title within 48 hours or face consequences.
Ooni’s Camp: “We Won’t Dignify Jokers”
Reacting on Tuesday via his social media page, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the ultimatum, describing those behind it as “jokers.”
He stated that the Ooni had directed him not to issue an official press release in response to what he called an “empty threat.”
“My principal has directed me against issuing a press release on the empty threat of the Alawada Babasala. We cannot dignify the undignifyable with an official response. The matter is already being handled in the public court of opinion,” Olafare wrote.
Yoruba Traditional Institutions in Dispute
The clash has once again highlighted tensions between Yoruba traditional rulers over authority, hierarchy, and the conferment of titles. While the Alaafin insists on his exclusive right over pan-Yoruba titles, the Ooni’s camp appears unfazed by the threat, leaving the issue to public interpretation.
