Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has publicly challenged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over his authority to grant the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland to businessman Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s actions as a direct challenge to his own authority.
He asserted that the exclusive right to confer titles with influence across all of Yorubaland belongs solely to the Alaafin.
The statement accused the Ooni of repeatedly overstepping his traditional boundaries and disregarding a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive powers in these matters.
The Alaafin emphasized that the Ooni’s authority is limited to the Oranmiyan Local Government Area, which is now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.
Consequently, the Alaafin demanded the title be revoked within 48 hours, warning of consequences if his demand is not met.
The statement concluded by referencing the Alaafin’s recent tour across Yorubaland, where he stressed that regional peace and unity are the foundation for development.
He stated that unity has always been the desire of their ancestors and should remain a top priority for all Yoruba leaders.
Owoade added that his peace initiatives should not be mistaken for weakness, describing the Ooni’s decision as unlawful and derogatory to the authority of the Titan of Yorubaland.
The statement said: “The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland , Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has been drawn to the purported conferment of chieftaincy title of OKANLOMO of Yorubaland on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
“The conferment of chieftaincy title which bothers on Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the referred institution of the Alaafin who is the Titan of Yorubaland and on who hold the Exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone.
“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 Engineer Dotun Sanusi WITHIN 48 HOURS or face the consequences.”
Moses Olafare, the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, has not yet responded to the Alaafin’s statement.
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