Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has disputed the authority of Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement issued on Monday by Bode Durojaiye, Alaafin’s
director of media and publicity, the monarch described the Ooni’s action as a
direct challenge to his exclusive right to confer titles that span the entire
Yorubaland.
According to Punch, Owoade claimed that the Ooni’s authority
is limited to the Oranmiyan LGA, which has since been divided into Ife central,
Ife north, and Ife south.
The Alaafin demanded the revocation of the title conferred
on Sanusi within 48 hours, warning that there would be consequences if his
directive is not heeded.
Recalling his recent tour across Yorubaland, Owoade noted
that peace and unity remain essential for sustainable development in the
region.
“The conferment of chieftaincy title, which bothers on
Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife, is not only an affront to the revered
institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland and on whom holds
the exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire
Yorubaland on anyone,” the statement reads.
“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to
check and call him to order and because of that ‘above the law’ syndrome of
his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s’ back including the apex
court in the country, the Supreme Court, which had ruled on the exclusive
preserve of the Alaafin to confer chieftaincy title that covers the entire
Yorubaland on anyone.
“The instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi, during
his installation, specifically limits his traditional area of authority to
Oranmiyan Local Government, which has now been split into three Local
Governments, viz: Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.
“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now
being put to a crucial test and the reality of our time makes it very
obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand
revocation of the so-called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred
on Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences.”
Owoade was crowned Alaafin on April 5, 2025, becoming the
46th monarch of the town.
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