The brewing royal tussle between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has deepened as the Alaafin’s palace signaled readiness to publish a Supreme Court judgment on his authority.
On Monday, the Alaafin’s media aide, Bode Durojaiye, demanded that the Ooni revoke the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours, citing a Supreme Court ruling that allegedly affirms the Alaafin’s exclusive right to issue Yoruba-wide chieftaincy titles.
With the ultimatum now expired, palace sources revealed that the Alaafin is preparing to unveil the ruling to back his claim that only he, as the paramount ruler of Yorubaland, can confer such titles.
The Alaafin accused the Ooni of exceeding his jurisdiction, which he said is limited to Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
Amid heated debates on social media, the Atóbaáse of Yorubaland, Babajide Agunbiade, backed the Alaafin, stressing his historical supremacy rooted in the Oyo Empire’s vast influence. While acknowledging the Ooni as custodian of Yoruba spirituality, he insisted that Yoruba-wide titles remain the Alaafin’s prerogative.
This row has rekindled long-standing questions over royal authority and tradition in Yorubaland.
