The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern warning to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the reversal of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland recently conferred on businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an affront to his authority, insisting that only the Alaafin reserves the exclusive right to bestow titles covering the entire Yorubaland.
He accused the Ooni of overstepping his traditional jurisdiction and flouting a Supreme Court ruling which, according to him, had affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive powers in such matters. The statement further noted that the Ooni’s instrument of office restricts his authority to the Ife area, covering Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South local governments.
The Alaafin therefore ordered the Ooni to revoke the title within 48 hours or face unspecified consequences, stressing that his peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness. He described the Ooni’s action as unlawful and der%gatory to the authority of the Alaafin, whom he referred to as the “Titan of Yorubaland.”