· Yoruba elders wade in, urge restraint
· As Alaafin refutes insinuations of supremacy battle
By Jibrin Ndanusa
In the past week, the long-standing rivalry between two of Yorubaland’s most eminent monarchs—the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife—has re-emerged, prompting urgent appeals for restraint and mediation from Yoruba elders and leaders.
The latest point of contention arises from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi’s decision to bestow the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland upon an Ibadan-based businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi. This move has been deemed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, as an infringement upon his exclusive authority to confer titles with jurisdiction across the entirety of Yorubaland—a perceived challenge to his sovereignty that culminated in a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the revocation of the title.
The Ooni had conferred the title during the launch of 2geda, an indigenous social media and business networking platform, held at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, over the weekend.
In a statement released by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin asserted that no other traditional ruler possesses the legitimate mandate to grant a title purporting to encompass all of Yorubaland. He issued a stern 48-hour deadline to the Ooni, warning of consequences should the title not be rescinded.
However, in response, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, conveyed that the Ooni had instructed him to disregard what he described as an outburst, instead placing the matter in “the court of public opinion.”
“We cannot dignify the undignified with an official response,” Olafare wrote. “We leave the issue to be deliberated upon by the public. Let us focus on narratives that unify rather than divide. No press statement, please. Forty-eight hours? Laughable.”
Monday’s exchange marks the latest in a series of public disagreements between the two prominent monarchs. One such incident occurred in May, during an event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, where a video clip showed the Alaafin remaining seated while other monarchs rose to greet the Ooni. Another viral video in June captured the two monarchs pointedly ignoring each other at the West African Economic Summit in Abuja. Although both palaces have publicly denied the existence of a rift, the recurrence of such episodes has raised growing concerns.
Addressing the ongoing tensions, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, revealed on Tuesday that he had initiated contact with Yoruba leaders to mediate the dispute. He emphasised the importance of both cultural and political intervention to prevent the escalation of the crisis.
“This is a matter between two revered fathers,” Adams stated. “I have already reached out to leaders across Yorubaland to help resolve it. The unity of our land must not be compromised. I am maintaining contact with both monarchs.”
Adams recounted his long-standing ties to both palaces—having been close to the Ooni prior to his ascension as Aare Ona Kakanfo, while also enjoying a warm relationship with the late Alaafin—stressing the importance of a diplomatic resolution.
“When conflicts arise between two fathers, it is the duty of the children to seek reconciliation,” he said. “We must not allow old wounds to be reopened in public.”
Acknowledging that a resolution is long overdue, Adams called for concerted efforts from Yoruba stakeholders to ensure an amicable end to the dispute. He expressed confidence that, with appropriate leadership, the impasse would be resolved in due course.
“This is an issue that Yoruba leaders will soon put to rest,” he affirmed. “Our political figures, in addition to cultural custodians, must also assume responsibility. Though the matter has festered for some time, I am optimistic that peace will soon prevail.”
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, has called for moderation from both royal figures, stressing the need to uphold the Omoluabi ethos. Secretary-General of the YCE, Oladipo Oyewole, urged the governments of Osun and Oyo States to intervene swiftly to prevent a further breakdown of decorum, and to encourage a historically grounded approach to resolving the disagreement.
“The Yoruba Council of Elders has been inundated with enquiries regarding the unfortunate dispute between two of our revered traditional rulers—the Kabiyesi Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo—concerning their respective ceremonial roles and custodianship of our heritage,” Oyewole remarked.
“Historical context must be thoroughly examined to ensure the issue is addressed appropriately. Until such time, it must be stressed that actions departing from the Omoluabi code of conduct must be scrupulously avoided by both parties.”
In a separate development, the Alaafin of Oyo has refuted suggestions of a supremacy tussle between himself and any other Yoruba monarch, including the Ooni of Ife. In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan via his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin reiterated that his reign is driven by service, not rivalry.
“The Alaafin does not seek nor require any contest for supremacy with any Oba, within Yorubaland or beyond,” the statement read. “He remains a resolute guardian of Yoruba culture and tradition, with a profound commitment to the welfare of his subjects.”
Oba Owoade affirmed that his reign is guided by the imperative of delivering tangible benefits to the people of Oyo and the broader Yoruba nation. He described the Alaafin’s throne as a hallowed institution built upon heritage, unity, and prosperity, not competition.
Reiterating his dedication to preserving cultural values and fostering unity across Yoruba traditional institutions, the Alaafin concluded that his foremost concern remains “the welfare, cultural heritage, and development” of his people.
