The palace of the Ooni of Ife has brushed aside the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, over the recent conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title.
In a fiery response on Monday, Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, described the ultimatum as an “empty threat,” insisting that his principal, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, would not be drawn into a public exchange.
“My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press. No Press Release please. 48 Hours My Foot!!!” Olafare wrote on his official Facebook page.
The confrontation stems from the title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” conferred on Ibadan businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi, the owner of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, by the Ooni. The Alaafin, however, had warned that the title must be revoked within two days, stressing that only the Alaafin of Oyo reserves the right to grant Yoruba-wide chieftaincy titles.
The development underscores the age-long rivalry between the two most influential Yoruba monarchs over issues of supremacy and traditional jurisdiction.
Oba Abimbola Owoade, who became the 46th Alaafin in January 2025, had in his warning to the Ooni, described the move as an affront to Yoruba custom and referenced a Supreme Court ruling to back his stance.
