Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, will not respond to the threat and 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, over conferment of Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
This was disclosed in a terse Facebook post by Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to Ooni of Ife on Tuesday, taking a swipe at the ultimatum with “48 hours my foot.”
The Alaafin, in a statement on Monday made available to Tribune Online by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, had issued the ultimatum, demanding that the Ooni revoke the title bestowed on businessman who is also the owner of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts or face consequences.
Alaafin Owoade, who ascended the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in January 2025, described the Ooni’s action as an “affront” to his authority and a disregard for Yoruba tradition and law.
According to the statement, only the Alaafin of Oyo holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yorubaland.
The Alaafin’s statement also referenced a Supreme Court ruling and the Ooni’s instrument of office, which he claimed limits the latter’s traditional authority to the Ife region.
Reacting to the threat, Olafare stated that his principal (Ooni) has directed him against issuing a formal press release on the matter, calling the Alaafin’s demand an “empty threat.”
“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,” Olafare wrote, adding that the matter would be handled in the “public court of opinion.”
Continuing, Olafare urged that the focus should be on unity rather than divisive narratives. “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!!!”
(Tribune)