A combined photo of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi
By Shade Damiro
The feud between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is escalating by the day.
The seeming a prolonged and bitter dispute started when the Alaafin issued a statement demanding the immediate revocation of the conferred chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland bestowed on Ibadan business mogul, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
The Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as a “direct affront” to his authority as the Paramount Ruler and Superior Head of Yorubaland. He insisted that the title must be withdrawn within 48 hours or the Ooni should be prepared to face the consequences.
“The conferment of any chieftaincy title covering the entirety of Yorubaland remains the exclusive right of the Alaafin, as affirmed by the Supreme Court,” the statement read.
“By bestowing such a title, the Ooni has acted beyond his jurisdiction, disregarding the apex court ruling and undermining the revered institution of the Alaafin.”
Oba Owoade further argued that the instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi at his installation limits his traditional authority to Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas. He accused the Ooni of consistently acting “above the law” and taking steps that undermine unity in Yorubaland.
The Alaafin, while recalling his unity tour to Yoruba monarchs, reiterated that peace and unity are essential to meaningful development. “Our forefathers desired unity and worked hard to preserve it. We must do the same. No development can be achieved without peace and unity,” he stressed.
He added that his peace initiatives should not be misconstrued as weakness, warning that the Ooni’s actions were “ultra vires and derogatory” to the institution of the Alaafin as the Titan of Yorubaland.
Reacting to Alaafin’s outburst, Ooni in a series of tweets by his Spokesperson, Moses Olafare said “We cannot dignify the undignifiable with an official response.
” We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion as it’s already being treated.
“Let us rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. 48 hours my foot!!!
