The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owaode, has directed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to revoke the chieftaincy title of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi, also known as Ilaji, within 48 hours.
Oba Owoade faulted the action of the Ooni, stressing that the title conferred had implications for the entirety of Yorubaland, which he described as the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Bode Durojaye, the Alaafin said, “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 monarch further explained that the conferment of such titles was historically and traditionally tied to the throne of the Alaafin, warning that failure to revoke the chieftaincy could lead to dire consequences.
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Oba Owoade added, “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.”
He stressed that the instrument of office presented to Ooni Ogunwusi during his installation specifically limited his authority to the old Oranmiyan local government area in Osun State, which has now been divided into Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South local councils.
According to the Alaafin, the Ooni’s action undermines the peace and unity initiatives of the Oyo throne and disregards established rulings on traditional authority within Yorubaland.
“The conferment of a chieftaincy title that covers the entirety of Yorubaland lies solely with the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland and custodian of that authority,” the statement read.
The Alaafin accused the Ooni of taking undue advantage of his position, alleging that the decision to honour Sanusi was “ultra vires” and derogatory to the institution of the Alaafin.
He noted that the Ooni had overstepped the bounds of his traditional jurisdiction and had ignored the provisions of law and custom guiding the conferment of titles.
Oba Owoade reiterated that he expected compliance within 48 hours, warning that failure to withdraw the title would attract measures from his office.
The statement concluded, “The Ooni of Ife must revoke the conferment within the stipulated time frame to preserve the dignity, unity and respect for the traditional institution of Yorubaland.”
