By Muhammed Akindele
The Aláàfin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has ordered the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to immediately revoke the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland recently conferred on Ibadan business mogul, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement issued on August 19, 2024, by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as a direct challenge to his authority, insisting that only he reserves the power to confer titles covering the entire Yorubaland.
“The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Owoade I, has been drawn to the purported conferment of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on business tycoon Dotun Sanusi by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi,” the statement reads.
“The conferment of any title that covers the entirety of Yorubaland remains the exclusive right of the Alaafin, as affirmed by the Supreme Court. By bestowing such a title, the Ooni has acted beyond his jurisdiction, disregarding the apex court ruling and undermining the revered institution of the Alaafin.”
Oba Owoade further stated that the instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi at his installation limits his authority to Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas.
He accused the Ooni of consistently overstepping his boundaries and taking actions capable of threatening Yoruba unity.
Recalling his recent unity tour across Yorubaland, the Alaafin stressed that peace and harmony remain essential for meaningful development.
“Our forefathers desired unity and worked hard to preserve it. We must do the same. No development can be achieved without peace and unity,” he emphasized.
The Alaafin concluded by warning that his peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness, describing the Ooni’s actions as “ultra vires and derogatory” to the institution of the Alaafin, which he called the Titan of Yorubaland.
