Tension In Yorubaland As Alaafin Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum To Ooni Over Chieftaincy Title

A major royal confrontation is unfolding in Yorubaland as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has given the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, 48 hours to revoke the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title recently conferred on Ibadan business magnate, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.

In a strongly worded statement released on Monday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as “an affront” and a violation of Yoruba tradition, insisting that only the Alaafin holds the authority to bestow titles covering all of Yorubaland.

“The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts,” the statement read.

Citing the Ooni’s instrument of office, Oba Owoade argued that the Ooni’s authority is limited to the former Oranmiyan Local Government—now Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South—and does not extend to Yoruba-wide titles. He warned that if the title is not withdrawn within 48 hours, “consequences will follow.”

The Alaafin added that his efforts to foster peace across Yoruba kingdoms are being mistaken for weakness. “Our forefathers sacrificed for unity, and we must preserve it. But the Ooni of Ife is mistaking the Alaafin’s peace initiative for weakness, hence these provocative actions,” he said.

The escalating dispute between two of Yorubaland’s foremost monarchs has sparked fears of a deeper rift that could destabilize the traditional hierarchy across the South-West.