The conferment of traditional titles on First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and her son Seyi by two leading Yoruba monarchs has reignited a longstanding dispute over royal supremacy between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo.
On December 7, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, installed the First Lady as the Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua during celebrations marking his tenth coronation anniversary.
The title was previously held by the late Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of statesman Obafemi Awolowo. The ceremony was attended by prominent traditional rulers including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Olu of Warri, and the Soun of Ogbomoso.
Separately, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, installed Seyi Tinubu as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. In doing so, the Alaafin asserted that he alone holds the authority to confer titles bearing the designation “Yorubaland.”
The parallel honors have sparked renewed debate among traditionalists and supporters of both thrones. Advocates for the Ooni argue that his position as the spiritual head of the Yoruba people is historically preeminent.
The Salu of Edunabon in Osun State, Adesoji Oladepo, told newsmen over the weekend that the Ooni’s leadership is widely recognized among Yoruba monarchs. “When Ooni installed the First Lady as the Yeye Asiwaju of Yorubaland, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Olu of Warri and other notable monarchs were present,” he stated, adding that all Yoruba crowns trace their lineage to Ile-Ife.
The Alaafin’s camp, however, maintains the historical and political authority of the Oyo throne, particularly in conferring regional titles.
