The age-old rivalry between Oyo and Ife has once again been rekindled as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, issued a stern warning to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The monarch of the Oyo Empire accused the Ooni of stepping beyond his traditional bounds after conferring the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on prominent businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as “an affront to the authority of the throne of Oyo.”
He insisted that the prerogative to bestow titles covering the entire Yorubaland rests solely with the Alaafin, not any other monarch, no matter how highly placed.
The Oyo palace pointed to a Supreme Court ruling, which, according to them, had affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive authority in such matters. The Ooni’s decision, they argued, openly disregarded that judgment.
“The Ooni’s instrument of office is limited to Oranmiyan Local Government, now split into Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South,” the statement read. “Any title extending beyond that territory is invalid.”
The Alaafin therefore handed the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to revoke the title or face consequences that were not explicitly spelled out but hinted at confrontation.
Oba Owoade stressed that his patience and repeated efforts at fostering peace among Yoruba monarchs should not be mistaken for weakness.
He described the Ooni’s decision as unlawful, derogatory and a deliberate attempt to undermine the institution of the Alaafin as the “Titan of Yorubaland.”
The development has already stirred tension in traditional circles, with many awaiting the Ooni’s official response.
Historians note that the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife represent two distinct but powerful pillars of Yoruba identity—the Ooni as the spiritual father and custodian of tradition, the Alaafin as the political head of a once-expansive empire.
The rivalry between the thrones is centuries old, but recent years had seen both monarchs pledge to work in unity for the progress of the Yoruba people.
Observers now fear that this latest dispute could upset that fragile truce and reignite an old battle for supremacy.
For now, Yorubaland watches in suspense: will the Ooni bow to the Alaafin’s demand and withdraw the title, or will he stand his ground and risk deepening a royal rift?