After the deadline set by the Alaafin of Oyo to his counterpart in Ile-Ife elapsed, fresh signs suggest that Abimbola Owoade may soon release a Supreme Court verdict to the public.
The palace in Oyo insists that the Supreme Court decision backs the Alaafin’s exclusive right to grant chieftaincy titles across Yorubaland—disputing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi’s involvement in conferring such titles.
Alaafin and Ooni: The Alleged Power Struggle
Tensions escalated following a series of meetings held by Oyo’s palace chiefs on Wednesday, August 20, where the Alaafin and his advisors discussed their next course of action.
Just two days prior, on Monday, August 18, the Alaafin’s media aide, Bode Durojaiye, publicly demanded that the Ooni withdraw the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title awarded to businessman Dotun Sanusi—giving him a 48-hour ultimatum.
Durojaiye’s stance is rooted in a Supreme Court ruling, which, according to the Alaafin’s camp, establishes that only Oyo’s monarch can bestow chieftaincy titles with the “Yorubaland” honorific.
In their argument, the Alaafin accuses the Ooni of overreaching beyond his jurisdiction, as defined by the apex court—claiming the Ooni’s authority is restricted to the former Oranmiyan local government area (which is now subdivided into Ife North, Ife Central, and Ife South LGAs).
Responding to these claims through Facebook, Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, revealed that the Ooni had specifically instructed him not to make any official statement regarding the situation.
Source: Twitter
Olafare dismissed the Alaafin’s demand as baseless, referring to it as an “empty threat.”
He stated:
“My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the empty threat of the Alawada Babasala. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press.”
“The issue would be handled in the public court of opinion. Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. No Press Release please (sic) 48 hours my foot.”
While the Ooni has chosen not to publicly engage in the dispute, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and several local leaders have offered him their support, objecting to the Alaafin’s assertions.
According to reports from the palace, following the ultimatum’s expiration on August 20, the Alaafin could now reveal the long-discussed Supreme Court judgment in an effort to solidify his claim as the supreme traditional ruler of Yorubaland.
Alaafin Addresses Rumours
Amid ongoing speculation, the Alaafin of Oyo has clarified that there is no personal feud between him and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi—contrary to what some media outlets have reported.
The Alaafin made these remarks during a recent video interview, where he also dismissed similar rumours of discord with another notable figure, Adebayo Adelabu.
