By Tunde Odesola, Wale Akinselure, Ademola Adegbite & Peter Dada
Prominent Yoruba elders and leaders have moved to douse tensions following a fresh clash between two foremost monarchs — the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The latest dispute erupted after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to bestow the title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman and philanthropist, Chief Dotun Sanusi, during the launch of 2geda, an indigenous social media platform, in Ibadan.
In a statement through his aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin insisted that only he could confer titles covering the entire Yorubaland and gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to withdraw the honour “or face the consequences.”
But the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the threat, describing it as beneath response. “We cannot dignify the undignifiable with an official reply,” he said, adding that the matter would be left “in the court of public opinion.”
History of Clashes
The exchange is the latest in a string of public tensions between the two monarchs. In May, the Alaafin was seen seated while other rulers stood to greet the Ooni at an event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. Another viral clip in June showed both men pointedly ignoring each other at a summit in Abuja.
Though both palaces have previously denied a rift, repeated incidents have raised concerns among Yoruba leaders.
Calls for Restraint
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said on Tuesday he was already consulting with Yoruba leaders to mediate. “This is an issue between two fathers. We must not allow old wounds to reopen in public,” he cautioned.
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) also appealed for calm, urging the governments of Oyo and Osun States to intervene. YCE Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, stressed that actions contrary to the Omoluabi ethos should be avoided.
Similarly, renowned Ifa scholar and elder statesman, Prof. Wande Abimbola, called for peace, revealing plans for a high-level meeting of Yoruba traditional rulers and elders to resolve the crisis.
Growing Reactions
In Ibadan, the Mogajis (family heads) condemned the Alaafin’s ultimatum, calling it “irrational and divisive.” They warned against attempts to provoke Ibadan people by targeting Sanusi, one of the city’s most prominent figures.
Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, threw its weight behind the Ooni, arguing that his authority as spiritual head of Yorubaland predates and surpasses political structures. The group’s organising secretary, Abagun Omololu, traced the confusion to British colonial divisions but maintained that all Yoruba lineages trace their origin to Ile-Ife.
Legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, echoed that view, insisting that no law or court ruling grants the Alaafin exclusive authority over pan-Yoruba titles. “The Ooni has acted lawfully, historically, and culturally,” he said, urging that the Alaafin be properly advised.
Path to Resolution
While several monarchs declined to comment on the matter, Yoruba leaders across cultural, political, and academic spheres emphasised the urgent need for unity. Efforts are underway to convene peace talks that will bring together traditional rulers from all Yoruba-speaking states to settle the lingering feud.
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