The long-standing rivalry between two of Yorubaland’s most powerful royal stools has resurfaced dramatically. On 19 August 2025, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjàjá II, demanding he revoke a chieftaincy title recently bestowed on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
At the heart of this dispute lies not just a title, but the deeper question of who holds authority over Yoruba-wide honours—a matter steeped in history, culture, and law.
The Trigger: Okanlomo of Yorubaland Title
Earlier in August, the Ooni conferred the title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji. The move was celebrated in Ibadan, where Sanusi has strong influence, but it angered the Alaafin.
The Alaafin argued that such a Yorubaland-wide title exceeds the Ooni’s authority, citing a Supreme Court ruling which, according to him, reserves the power to confer such titles for the Alaafin of Oyo alone. He described the Ooni’s action as an “unconstitutional encroachment” and demanded a reversal within 48 hours—or risk “dire consequences.”
Ooni’s Response: Silence, Dismissal, and Defiance
The Ooni, through his spokesperson Moses Olafare, refused to directly respond to the ultimatum. Instead, the palace dismissed the order as nothing more than an “empty threat” from what it called “a dead empire.”
“We shall not dignify the Alaafin’s ultimatum with any formal reply. The Ooni has more pressing developmental commitments than to entertain jokers,” Olafare said.
Rather than backtrack, the Ooni has continued to focus on projects like the planned Ojaja Smart City in Ibadan, signaling he will not bow to the Alaafin’s pressure.
Reactions Across Yorubaland
The feud has stirred widespread debate and divided opinions among Yoruba traditional and cultural leaders and online users.
Ibadan traditional rulers condemned the ultimatum as an affront on Ibadanland, arguing that the Alaafin had no business challenging the Ooni’s decision.
Oba Omotooyosi Akinleye, Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, stressed that the Alaafin’s authority ends in Oyo land, while the Ooni holds broader spiritual supremacy as custodian of Oduduwa’s throne.
The Yoruba Council Worldwide expressed dismay at the public spat, warning that the dispute undermines Yoruba unity and respect for tradition.
Historical Tension Between Thrones
The Ooni of Ife is traditionally regarded as the spiritual head of the Yoruba people, based in Ile-Ife, the ancestral cradle of creation in Yoruba cosmology. The Alaafin of Oyo, on the other hand, historically commanded political and military power during the Oyo Empire’s height.
While both thrones today serve largely ceremonial roles, their historical prestige often leads to contests of authority, especially over matters that touch on Yorubaland at large.
What Next?
The 48-hour ultimatum has already began without compliance from the Ooni. With both palaces standing firm, the standoff is now being closely watched—not just by Yoruba people, but across Nigeria.
At stake is more than one chieftaincy title; it is the delicate balance of authority between two of Yorubaland’s greatest stools. If left unchecked, the rift risks deepening long-standing rivalries that many believe should be channeled instead toward fostering cultural unity and development.
The feud highlights the enduring tensions between the Ooni of Ife’s spiritual pre-eminence and the Alaafin of Oyo’s historical claim to political authority. While both monarchs hold immense cultural influence, their public clash raises urgent questions about Yoruba unity in today’s Nigeria.