Revoke Sanusi’s Title in 48 Hours or Face Fire, Alaafin Warns Ooni

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has openly criticised the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the recent conferment of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Bode Durojaye, on Monday, the Alaafin described the action as a direct affront to his authority and to the traditional institution he represents. He insisted that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to bestow titles that cover the entirety of Yorubaland, a right he said has been affirmed by the Supreme Court.

The monarch accused the Ooni of exceeding his jurisdiction and warned that the title must be revoked within 48 hours or face consequences. He stressed that the preservation of peace and unity among traditional rulers was paramount, urging all leaders to work together in the interest of Yorubaland’s development.

Quoting the legacy of the forefathers, the Alaafin said unity had always been central to the progress of the Yoruba people. He alleged that the Ooni had misconstrued his peace-driven approach as weakness, thereby taking decisions that are both unlawful and derogatory to the authority of the Alaafin.

He further pointed out that the Ooni’s instrument of office restricts his traditional authority to the Ife area, now comprising Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South, and not the whole of Yorubaland. According to him, the conferment of a Yorubaland-wide title was therefore invalid.

The Alaafin concluded by declaring that no one is above the law, adding that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter remains binding. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the title conferred on Sanusi, warning that failure to do so within the stipulated time would attract severe consequences.