The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern rebuke to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the recent conferment of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as a direct challenge to his authority and a violation of established traditional protocols.
The Alaafin firmly asserted that the exclusive right to confer titles that extend across the entire Yorubaland rests solely with his office. He accused the Ooni of consistently overstepping his traditional jurisdiction and acting beyond the limits of his authority.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the Ooni’s actions disregard a Supreme Court ruling which explicitly affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive powers in such matters.
Citing the official instrument of office presented to the Ooni during his installation, the Alaafin pointed out that the Ooni’s traditional authority is legally confined to the area formerly known as Oranmiyan Local Government, which has since been divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. This, he argued, clearly limits the Ooni’s capacity to bestow titles with a regional scope.
The statement demanded the immediate revocation of the title within a 48-hour period, warning that failure to comply would result in unspecified consequences. While recalling his recent unity tour across Yorubaland, where he emphasised that peace and unity are the foundation for meaningful development, the Alaafin clarified that his peace initiatives should not be mistaken for weakness.
He described the Ooni’s decision as unlawful and derogatory to the authority of the Titan of Yorubaland, a title he holds. The Alaafin concluded by stating that the situation presents a crucial test of the principle that nobody is above the law.
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cc: Nigerian Tribune
