By Gabriella Chinwendu Ayigbo
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the withdrawal of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo recently conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
The Alaafin described the move as an overreach of the Ooni’s authority, insisting that the exclusive right to bestow titles with implications across Yorubaland belongs solely to him. He characterized the action as both disrespectful and insulting, citing a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the Alaafin’s supremacy in such matters.
According to him, the Ooni’s powers are traditionally restricted to Oranmiyan Local Government, which is divided into three areas: Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. Therefore, he argued, the conferment of the Okanlomo title was invalid.
He further warned that failure to reverse the decision within the stipulated 48 hours would attract grave consequences. The Alaafin stressed that his consistent pursuit of peace should not be mistaken for weakness.
The monarch accused the Ooni of exhibiting what he termed an “above the law syndrome,” alleging that he had developed a pattern of disregarding both traditional structures and judicial authority, including the Supreme Court.
This standoff has heightened tensions, raising fears of a looming conflict that could reshape the power dynamics of traditional leadership across the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.