The fragile peace between two of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional stools — the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife — has been shattered once again, following a new confrontation over the authority to bestow pan-Yoruba titles.
The Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the withdrawal of the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland recently conferred on Ibadan businessman and philanthropist, Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of overstepping his bounds and described the installation as an affront to his throne.
“The conferment of any chieftaincy title that covers the whole of Yorubaland is the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin. The Ooni has clearly exceeded his jurisdiction and ignored a Supreme Court judgment which recognises the Alaafin as the custodian of such prerogatives,” the statement said.
The Alaafin maintained that the Ooni’s authority is limited to the traditional Ife territory, formerly known as Oranmiyan Local Government, now split into Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South. By acting otherwise, he argued, the Ooni had behaved unlawfully and contemptuously.
He warned that failure to reverse the title within 48 hours would attract unspecified consequences, stressing that “patience must not be mistaken for weakness.”
Rivalry rekindled
The latest spat is the newest chapter in a centuries-old rivalry between Oyo and Ife. While the Ooni of Ife is revered as the spiritual father of the Yoruba, the Alaafin of Oyo has historically commanded political and military influence across the region.
That delicate balance has often bred friction, particularly when either throne asserts primacy on issues of Yoruba identity, leadership, or honour.
Reactions divide Yoruba voices
The altercation has spilled onto social media, where Yoruba commentators are split.
HRM Oba Omotooyosi Bayo M. Akinleye weighed in by emphasising shared ancestry:
“Alaafin’s authority ends in Oyo, Owa Obokun’s ends in Ijesa, Awujale’s in Ijebu, Alake’s in Egba. No child is older than the father who birthed them. We are all children of Oduduwa — and the Ooni sits on the father’s throne.”
Others took sides with the Alaafin. “Only the Alaafin can confer titles that cover Yorubaland. The Ooni has no such power,” wrote Oluwadamilare Fabiyi.
Some observers dismissed the controversy altogether. Omoba Adegoke remarked: “It’s absurd to treat ‘Yorubaland’ as if it is a trademark reserved for one stool. We joke too much in this country.”
Academic and commentator Opeyemi Adewumi called for restraint, saying: “Our revered monarchs should bring these rivalries to an end. They diminish the dignity of the thrones.”
Others even doubted the credibility of the ultimatum itself, with one user, Olúwadámiláre, insisting: “The Alaafin’s authority ends in Oyo. This report sounds exaggerated — almost like a joke gone too far.”
Family metaphors and political undertones
Beyond the debate on royal authority, some Yoruba voices turned to metaphor to interpret the quarrel. A Twitter user, Lami, likened Yorubaland to a family tree:
"Yoruba gave birth to twin sons, Oyo and Ife. Oyo honoured one of his children. Ife, as an uncle, offered the same child a larger title. But Oyo felt it was an overreach. The real question is: was Ife trying to unite the family or assert superiority?”
Others see modern politics lurking behind the ancient rivalry. Cultural commentator Akanji Adeyemi lamented:
“The political kings crowned nowadays hardly understand the heritage they sit upon. Who is Alaafin to threaten the Ooni’s stool? It is a shame to witness this kind of contest between our most sacred thrones.”
The episode, whether resolved quietly or allowed to fester, underscores the continuing sensitivity around questions of hierarchy among Yoruba monarchs, a debate that centuries of history have yet to put to rest.
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