The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has refuted claims suggesting a supremacy rivalry between himself and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. In a statement released Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the monarch emphasized that he holds no desire for conflict with any traditional ruler in Yorubaland or beyond.
The clarification follows recent tensions after the Ooni conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi (also known as Ilaji) during the launch of the indigenous social media platform 2geda in Ibadan. The Alaafin responded by issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the revocation of the title, asserting that the authority to grant titles with jurisdiction across Yorubaland rests solely with the Alaafin.
Oba Owoade described the Ooni’s action as overstepping traditional boundaries and referenced a Supreme Court judgment which, he claimed, affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive rights in matters concerning chieftaincy titles of pan-Yoruba significance.
According to the statement, "The conferment of titles that cover the entire Yorubaland is the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin," and the Ooni’s actions were described as unlawful and contrary to established traditional and legal protocols.
Despite this, the Alaafin affirmed he has no interest in engaging in any supremacy battle, citing his dedication to Yoruba unity, culture, and the welfare of his people. Durojaiye quoted the monarch:
“Why would the Alaafin need to engage in any supremacy battle with any Oba in Yorubaland or elsewhere?”
The statement portrayed Oba Owoade as a monarch rooted in both tradition and modernity—deeply spiritual, culturally committed, and sworn to uphold the legacy of the Yoruba ancestors, including Ifa and Sango. The Alaafin is said to have made a covenant at a sacred Yoruba shrine to uphold and promote the values and traditions of the Yoruba people.
Highlighting the historical prominence of the Oyo Empire, the statement noted that Oyo rose to dominance through wealth and military strength, becoming the most authoritative of the early Yoruba states. It further pointed out that during colonial rule, the British recognized the Alaafin as the “Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation” in official treaties and engagements.
Concluding, the statement emphasized the Alaafin’s unwavering commitment to the dignity of his throne and the prosperity of his subjects, describing the monarchy as a governance system anchored in tradition, royal lineage, and ancestral duty.
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