Ooni of Ife Brushes Off Alaafin’s Ultimatum Over Chieftaincy Dispute

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has dismissed a 48-hour ultimatum from the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, concerning the controversial ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ title recently awarded to Ibadan-based businessman, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, known as Ilaji. 

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, called the ultimatum “baseless” and unworthy of a formal reply. 

Posting on Facebook, Olafare shared that Oba Ogunwusi instructed him to disregard the Alaafin’s demand, stating the issue was already before the “court of public opinion.” 

“My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala,” he said.

“I beg to disappoint you gentlemen of the press. We cannot dignify the undignifyable with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion has it is already being treated.

“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us.

“No Press Release pls. 48 Hours My Foot!!!”

A statement released on Monday and signed by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, affirmed that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to confer Yoruba-wide titles, citing a Supreme Court ruling as precedent.

“The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts,” the statement read.

Source: saharareporters