The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has openly challenged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, over his recent conferment of the title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on business mogul, Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
Oba Owoade, in a strongly worded statement issued through his media aide, Debo Durojaiye, maintained that no traditional ruler in Yorubaland, apart from the Alaafin, has the authority to bestow a title covering the entire Yoruba race. He described the action of the Ooni as a direct affront to the Oyo throne, which he called the “Titan of Yorubaland.”
According to the Alaafin, the Ooni had displayed what he termed an “above the law attitude,” behaving as if no institution or authority could call him to order. He recalled that the Supreme Court had earlier ruled that only the Alaafin of Oyo retains the power to confer titles with jurisdiction across the Yoruba nation, insisting that the Ooni’s action was in breach of that judgment.
Oba Owoade further stressed that the Ooni’s staff of office clearly confines his traditional authority to Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas, and no further. “The Ooni has made it a habit to trample on everyone, disregarding even the law of the land,” the Alaafin stated.
Issuing a 48-hour ultimatum, the Alaafin demanded that the chieftaincy title conferred on Sanusi be withdrawn without delay, warning that failure to do so would result in a showdown.
