Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and Abimbola Owoade, the
Alaafin of Oyo, met in Lagos on Friday following a two-month rift.
The meeting was convened by Kessington Adebutu, the
billionaire businessman better known as ‘Baba Ijebu’.
The sit-down was held at the Eko Hotel on the sidelines of
Adebutu’s 90th birthday celebration.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both
monarchs announced the formation of the joint council for Yoruba unity — a
platform aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic
growth across Yoruba communities.
The communiqué was signed by the Ooni and Alaafin, witnessed
by Adebutu, and issued by Kola Oyefeso, secretary of the communiqué drafting
committee.
The meeting of the monarchs was described as a turning point
in Yoruba history.
“Today marks a defining chapter in our shared history,” the
communiqué reads.
“We reaffirm our dedication to promoting harmony among all
Yoruba sons and daughters, and upholding the sacred values of mutual respect
and brotherhood handed down by our ancestors.”
The gathering was attended by traditional rulers, cultural
custodians, and prominent Yoruba leaders, who discussed reconciliation,
cooperation, and inter-kingdom relations.
The Ooni and Alaafin jointly offered prayers for peace,
prosperity, and progress across Yorubaland, Nigeria, and the African continent.
Adebutu expressed delight at the renewed royal bond,
describing it as “a milestone that will consolidate peace, unity, and
development among the Yoruba people”.
OONI-ALAAFIN RIFT
The mending of ties comes two months after a row erupted
over the conferment of the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” title on businessman Dotun
Sanusi by the Ooni.
Following the conferment, the Alaafin had issued a 48-hour
ultimatum demanding that the Ooni revoke the title.
He described the development as an “affront” and claimed
exclusive authority to bestow titles covering the whole of Yorubaland.
The Alaafin had argued that a supreme court ruling had
affirmed his sole prerogative in such matters.
In response, the Ooni’s media team dismissed the ultimatum
as an “empty threat,” saying the monarch would not dignify it with a formal
response.
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