The Ooni of Ife’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, has dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, describing it as “an empty threat from a dead empire.”
The controversy began after Alaafin Owoade warned Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to withdraw a chieftaincy title allegedly conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi. The title in question, Okanlomo of Yorubaland, has been at the center of a traditional supremacy debate.
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The Alaafin argued that his throne holds the exclusive right to confer titles that cover the entirety of Yorubaland, a claim he said was backed by a Supreme Court ruling. He described the Ooni’s alleged action as a direct challenge to his authority and the cultural institution he represents.
Responding via social media, Olafare dismissed the ultimatum, insisting that the Ooni is focused on youth empowerment and development projects rather than supremacy battles.
“The Ooni is busy setting up businesses and creating jobs for youths across Yorubaland, while some are fighting a supremacy battle through an expired empire. Their 48-hour ultimatum will soon lapse—we are waiting. Dead empire,” Olafare stated.
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He also revealed that the Ooni is preparing for the groundbreaking of the Ojaja Smart City project in Ibadan, which is being touted as the largest in Africa, further stressing that the monarch has no time for distractions.
In a twist, the Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, also dismissed the Alaafin’s claim. Through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, he clarified that there is no evidence to suggest the Ooni ever conferred such a title on anyone.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ooni has never conceived it, talk less of installing anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland,” the statement read. “We challenge anyone with evidence to prove otherwise.”
The development has further heightened debates over traditional supremacy in Yorubaland, drawing reactions from across Nigeria.
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