The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has strongly criticized the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for conferring the chieftaincy title of "Okanlomo of Yorubaland" on businessman Dotun Sanusi.

In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the action as a direct challenge to his authority. He emphasized that the exclusive power to bestow titles that cover the entire Yorubaland lies solely with the Alaafin.

He further accused the Ooni of consistently exceeding his traditional jurisdiction and disregarding a Supreme Court judgment, which, according to him, affirms the Alaafin’s exclusive right to confer such wide-reaching titles.

The Alaafin stated that the Ooni’s staff of office restricts his traditional influence to the former Oranmiyan Local Government, now subdivided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. He demanded that the chieftaincy title granted to Sanusi be revoked within 48 hours, warning that failure to do so would have consequences.

Oba Owoade referenced his past efforts to promote peace and unity across Yorubaland, highlighting that such harmony is vital for sustainable development and was a core value upheld by the Yoruba forefathers. He cautioned that his commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness, labeling the Ooni’s action as unlawful and a slight to his revered position.

The statement read in part:

“The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has been drawn to the purported conferment of the chieftaincy title of OKANLOMO of Yorubaland on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

“The conferment of a chieftaincy title with jurisdiction over Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the esteemed institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland, but also a violation of the exclusive rights vested in the Alaafin to grant such titles.

“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as though there is no authority capable of checking or calling him to order. His conduct disregards the ruling of the Supreme Court, which has affirmed that only the Alaafin may confer chieftaincy titles applicable across Yorubaland.

“The instrument of office given to Oba Ogunwusi during his installation clearly limits his traditional authority to the former Oranmiyan Local Government, now split into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.

“The principle that no one is above the law must now be upheld. The Alaafin therefore demands the immediate revocation of the title of OKANLOMO of Yorubaland bestowed on Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences.”

As of the time of this report, no official response had been received from the Ooni’s camp. Efforts to reach his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, were unsuccessful.