The Alaafin’s office had maintained that only the Alaafin of Oyo holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yorubaland.
A statement by the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare called the 48 hour ultimatum empty threat.
Recall that the conflict centred on the chieftaincy title conferred by the Ooni on an Ibadan-based businessman.
The Alaafin had issued the ultimatum, demanding that the Ooni revoke the title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” bestowed upon Chief Dotun Sanusi, the owner of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts.
In a statement on Monday, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an “affront” to his authority and a disregard for Yoruba tradition and law.
The Alaafin’s office maintained that only the Alaafin of Oyo holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yorubaland.
In a terse response via his facebook handle, Moses Olafare stated that his principal has directed against issuing a formal press release on the matter, calling the Alaafin’s threat an “empty threat.”
“My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press,” Olafare wrote, adding that the matter would be handled in the “public court of opinion.”
Olafare further stated, “Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. No Press Release please (sic) 48 Hours My Foot!!!”
This recent clash emphasises a long-standing rivalry between the two prominent Yoruba monarchs over supremacy and traditional jurisdiction.
Oba Abimbola Owoade ascended the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in January 2025, and his reign has been marked by renewed claims to the exclusive right to confer titles with a pan-Yoruba scope.
The Alaafin’s statement also referenced a Supreme Court ruling and the Ooni’s instrument of office, which he claimed limits the Ooni’s traditional authority to the Ife region.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
Alaafin vs Ooni: Who blinks first in royal rumble
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Correspondent Yinka Adeniran traces the root cause of the confrontation between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan business mogul, Chief Dotun Sanusi. The hitherto peaceful relationship between two foremost traditional rulers in the Southwest- Alaafin of…
FULL LIST: Six requirements for U.S. visa applicants in Nigeria
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The United States Mission in Nigeria on Monday issued a new directive to visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process. The directive, announced in a post on the Mission’s official X account on Monday,…
Approves Slash Of Dialysis Cost From N50,000 To N12,000 For Kidney Patients
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas •Effective already in FG hospitals across the six geo-political zones President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant subsidy to reduce the cost of dialysis treatment for Nigerians, cutting the price per session from N50,000 to N12,000. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on thousands of Nigerians suffering from kidney-related…
