Alaafin of Oyo Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Ooni of Ife Over Chieftaincy Title

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The Alaafin of Oyo has given the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, 48 hours to revoke the chieftaincy title recently conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji, as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Alaafin, Oba Owoade, said the Ooni had acted beyond his jurisdiction, stressing that only the Alaafin of Oyo has the authority to bestow titles covering the entirety of Yorubaland. He maintained that this authority has historical backing as well as legal recognition, including a Supreme Court ruling.

“The Ooni should not act above the law. He is limited to his traditional jurisdiction within the Ife area, comprising Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South Local Government Areas. The conferment of pan-Yoruba titles is the exclusive prerogative of the Alaafin,” the statement read in part.

The development has renewed debate over traditional hierarchy in Yorubaland. While the Ooni is widely regarded as the cultural and spiritual custodian of the Yoruba people, the Alaafin has historically held political and military leadership, with his lineage tracing back to the expansion of the Oyo Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The Alaafin warned that failure to revoke the title within 48 hours would attract unspecified consequences. The Ooni of Ife is yet to officially respond to the directive.