A new power tussle has emerged in Yorubaland, with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, locked in a dispute over traditional authority.
The development has stirred unease among Yoruba elders, who have urged restraint and called for intervention by cultural and political stakeholders to prevent the dispute from escalating into a deeper crisis.
The clash centres on the Ooni’s recent conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on Ibadan-based businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi, during the unveiling of 2geda, a homegrown social media and business networking platform, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.
Recall that the Alaafin, in a strongly worded statement issued by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, dismissed the Ooni’s action as a direct affront to his throne, insisting that only the Alaafin reserves the right to confer titles that cover the entire Yoruba nation. He went further to issue a 48-hour ultimatum for the title to be revoked, warning of unspecified consequences if his demand is ignored.
In a swift reaction, however, the Ooni’s camp waved off the threat. His spokesperson, Moses Olafare, revealed in a social media post that Oba Ogunwusi had directed him not to dignify the Alaafin’s remarks with an official response.
“We cannot dignify the ‘undignifyable’ with an official response. This matter is already being tried in the public court of opinion. Let’s focus on narratives that unite us, not those that divide. No press release, please. Forty-eight hours my foot!” he wrote.
