Ancient Rivalry Rekindled As Alafin, Ooni Return To Trenches Over Chieftaincy Title

Ancient Rivalry Rekindled As Alafin, Ooni Return To Trenches Over Chieftaincy Title

In a fresh flare-up of the historic power struggle between two of Yorubaland’s most revered thrones, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has issued a scathing rebuke of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, over the latter’s conferment of the title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.

The title was bestowed during the weekend launch of 2geda, a homegrown social media and business networking platform, held at Ilaji Hotel in Ibadan. The Ooni praised Sanusi’s contributions to Yoruba cultural and economic advancement, calling them “unparalleled.”

However, the Alaafin, through a statement released by his media aide Bode Durojaiye on Monday, condemned the move as a breach of traditional protocol and an affront to the authority historically vested in the Oyo throne.

He asserted that only the Alaafin holds the legitimate power to confer titles with pan-Yoruba significance, citing a Supreme Court ruling that affirms this exclusive prerogative.

Oba Owoade further emphasised that the Ooni’s jurisdiction is constitutionally and traditionally confined to the boundaries of the former Oranmiyan Local Government, now subdivided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.

He warned that such overreach threatens the fragile unity of Yorubaland and undermines ongoing peace-building efforts.

The renewed tension between the two monarchs, whose rivalry dates back centuries, has reignited debates over the true custodian of Yoruba supremacy.

As of press time, efforts to reach the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, for comment were unsuccessful.