The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has publicly disputed the authority of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement issued on Monday by Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin’s director of media and publicity, Owoade described the Ooni’s actions as a “direct challenge” to his exclusive right to grant chieftaincy titles across Yorubaland.
Owoade, who became the 46th Alaafin on April 5, 2025, argued that the Ooni’s traditional authority is limited to the Oranmiyan Local Government Area, now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. He demanded that the title conferred on Sanusi be revoked within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would have “consequences.”
“The conferment of chieftaincy title, which bothers on Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife, is not only an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland and on whom holds the exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone,” the statement reads.
“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to check and call him to order and because of that ‘above the law’ syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking on everybody’s’ back including the apex court in the country, the Supreme Court, which had ruled on the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin to confer chieftaincy title that covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.
“The instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi, during his installation, specifically limits his traditional area of authority to Oranmiyan Local Government, which has now been split into three Local Governments, viz: Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.
“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test and the reality of our time makes it very obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand revocation of the so-called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences.”
During a recent tour across Yorubaland, Owoade emphasized the need for peace and unity as essential for sustainable development in the region.
