If within 48 hours this so-called ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ title is not revoked, the Alaafin will be compelled to act decisively in defence of law, culture, and the integrity of the Yoruba nation
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has openly faulted the decision of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to confer the prestigious title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on business magnate and philanthropist, the Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Engineer Dotun Sanusi
Oba Owoade, in a strongly worded statement issued on Monday through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, described the conferment as an “illegal overreach” and an “affront to tradition,” insisting that such authority rests solely with the Alaafin of Oyo, the custodian of Yoruba sovereignty and heritage.
The Alaafin explained that by history, custom, and even judicial pronouncement, the power to bestow a title that covers the entirety of Yorubaland belongs exclusively to the Oyo throne.
He emphasised that the Ooni of Ife’s traditional powers are restricted to his immediate domain in Ile-Ife, which historically represents the cradle of Yoruba origin but does not extend to the conferment of all-Yoruba titles.
“The Ooni of Ife,” the statement read, “is behaving as if no authority exists to call him to order.
“Because of this above-the-law attitude, he continually rides on the back of every institution, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which has already ruled that it is the Alaafin alone who holds the exclusive preserve to confer chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yoruba nation.”
Oba Owoade further clarified that the instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi during his coronation explicitly limits his traditional jurisdiction.
According to him, the Ooni’s authority area is confined to the former Oranmiyan Local Government of Osun State, which has since been divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas.
He argued that any action taken outside this traditional boundary amounts to a usurpation of authority and a direct encroachment on the exclusive rights of the Alaafin.
Deeply displeased, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of trivialising his consistent efforts to promote peace, unity, and cohesion among the Yoruba people.
He argued that by conferring a pan-Yoruba title, the Ooni had acted ultra vires (beyond his authority) and in a manner derogatory to the dignity of the Alaafin’s stool, which he described as the “Titan of Yorubaland.”
The monarch issued a stern ultimatum, demanding that the chieftaincy title given to Engineer Dotun Sanusi be revoked within 48 hours.
He warned that failure to comply would leave the Alaafin with no choice but to take “necessary and decisive measures” to defend the sanctity of Yoruba tradition.
“The dictum that nobody is above the law is now being put to a crucial test,” the statement read.
“The Alaafin cannot fold his arms while another traditional ruler arrogates to himself powers that are not his.
“If within 48 hours this so-called ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ title is not revoked, the Alaafin will be compelled to act decisively in defence of law, culture, and the integrity of the Yoruba nation.”
This confrontation between the two foremost Yoruba thrones again highlights the age-long rivalry and delicate balance of power between the Oyo and Ife traditional institutions.
While the Ooni of Ife is regarded historically as the spiritual father and custodian of the cradle of the Yoruba race, the Alaafin of Oyo has long been recognised as the political head and sovereign ruler whose authority transcends the entire Yoruba nation.
