UK Recognises Alaafin as Yoruba Supreme Ruler, Owoade Tells Ooni

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has announced that the United Kingdom formally recognises him as the supreme head of the Yoruba nation. The declaration comes amid renewed tensions between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The dispute intensified after the Ooni recently conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of 2geda Media networking platform at Ibadan’s Ilaji Hotel. In response, the Alaafin, through his media director Bode Durojaye, issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the title to be withdrawn, warning of “consequences” should it not be retracted. The Ooni has not responded.

In a statement released Thursday, the Alaafin highlighted Oyo’s historical prominence as the largest West African empire, noted for wealth from trade and military prowess. He emphasized that British colonial authorities recognised the Alaafin as the superior Yoruba monarch through the Treaty of Cessation, a testament to his traditional legitimacy. The statement also underscored the Alaafin’s commitment to defending and promoting Yoruba culture, tradition, and welfare, asserting that he does not seek supremacy battles with other Yoruba monarchs. It praised his leadership qualities, linking them to historical and spiritual authority.

Amid the controversy, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, urged Yoruba communities worldwide to avoid inflammatory media commentary. Speaking Thursday in Ibadan, Oba Alao described the dispute over Sanusi’s title as “unnecessary” and stressed that both the Alaafin and Ooni prioritize peace and unity. He called on Yoruba sons and daughters to respect the sanctity of the thrones and uphold cultural values of unity, kindness, and respect.

In a related development, the socio-cultural group Think Yoruba First Ogo Adulawo (TYF) warned against distortions of Yoruba history. Speaking at a press conference Thursday, TYF’s Lead Legal Consultant, Oluwatobi Sanwo, condemned a recently published book that falsely claims Yoruba people were not the original inhabitants of Ile-Ife and that a non-Yoruba empire predated Ife. Sanwo described the book as cultural defamation and intellectual dishonesty, stressing that Ile-Ife remains the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilisation. He called on the Yoruba diaspora, media, academics, and cultural institutions to safeguard Yoruba history, support scholarship, and uphold accurate narratives about the people’s heritage.