Alaafin of Oyo gives Ooni of Ife 48-hour ultimatum over chieftaincy title

Alaafin of Oyo gives Ooni of Ife 48-hour ultimatum over chieftaincy title

A major dispute has erupted between two of Nigeria’s most prominent monarchs. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has given the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, a 48-hour deadline to reverse a recent chieftaincy conferment.

The title in question, “Okanlomo of Yorubaland,” was bestowed upon Ibadan business tycoon Engineer Dotun Sanusi by the Ooni.

The Alaafin, in a statement signed by his media director Bode Durojaiye, described the act as an “affront” and a direct challenge to his royal prerogative.

He asserted that he is the only one who can grant titles that apply to all of Yorubaland.

According to the statement: “The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland.

“The Supreme Court itself has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts.”

The Alaafin warned that if the Ooni fails to withdraw the title within 48 hours, “consequences will follow.”