The age-long rivalry between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife has once again resurfaced, following the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan-based businessman, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the immediate revocation of the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” title conferred on Sanusi.
In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the action of the Ooni as an affront to his authority, insisting that the conferment of titles covering the entire Yorubaland remains the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin.
According to the monarch, the Ooni exceeded his traditional jurisdiction and disregarded a Supreme Court judgment, which he claimed affirmed the Alaafin’s prerogative in such matters.
“The conferment of chieftaincy titles which border on 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 it also goes against the authority of the Supreme Court,” the statement read.
The Alaafin argued further that Oba Ogunwusi’s instrument of office restricted his authority to Oranmiyan Local Government now Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South, making the conferment null and void.
He warned that failure to revoke the title within 48 hours would attract dire consequences, stressing that his peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness.
As of press time, the Ooni of Ife had not issued any response to the ultimatum.
This development adds to the series of supremacy battles between the two foremost Yoruba traditional rulers, who have often clashed over matters relating to authority and territorial influence.
