The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has openly confronted the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the conferment of the title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
In a strongly worded statement issued by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, on Monday in Ibadan, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of overstepping his bounds and usurping powers that, according to him, are reserved exclusively for the Alaafin. He demanded the immediate revocation of the title within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would attract “consequences.”
Oba Owoade anchored his position on a Supreme Court ruling which, he said, affirms the Alaafin as the sole custodian with authority to bestow any chieftaincy title that cuts across the entire Yorubaland. He added that the Ooni’s instrument of office, issued at his coronation, confines his traditional authority to the old Oranmiyan Local Government now Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to call him to order,” the Alaafin said. “Nobody is above the law. This affront must be corrected.”
He further recalled his recent unity tour across Yorubaland, stressing that peace, order, and respect for established hierarchy remain the bedrock of sustainable development in the region.
