Oba Ogunwusi and Oba Owoade
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The simmering supremacy battle between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife has taken a new twist as the Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has given the Ooni, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi. 48 hours to reverse the chieftaincy title of ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ on Dotun Sanusi, an Ibadan-based business mogul, or face the consequences.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling, the Alaafin in a statement, titled: ‘Stop stirring hornets nest”, declared that only he has the exclusive right to grant titles, encompassing Yoruba land.
In the statement, which was signed by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin demanded that the chieftaincy title award be revoked within 48 hours.
“The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland , Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has been drawn to the purported conferment of chieftaincy title of OKANLOMO of Yorubaland on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi,” the statement read.
“The conferment of chieftaincy title which bothers on Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the referred institution of the Alaafin who is the Titan of Yorubaland and on who hold Exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title which covers the entire Yorubaland on anyone”
The Alaafin accused the Ooni of behaving as if he is above the law.
“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,” he added.
“The instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi, during his installation, specifically limits his Traditional area of authority to Oranmiyan Local Government which has now been split into three Local Governments, viz: Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.
“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
“It is a statement of fact that during Alaafin’s unity tour to Yoruba monarchs, he reiterated his message that there could not be development without unity.”
The monarch harped on the need for unity among the Yoruba.
“Oba Owoade had told the gathering that “”it is the joy of our forefathers for us to be in unity and they did their part in ensuring peace and unity in Yorubaland; we must also strive to achieve this. God Himself is involved in our matter therefore we must always, at all times, be concerned about the peace and unity of Yorubaland. We say we want development, but no meaningful and sustainable development will come without peace and unity””.
“But it seems the Ooni of Ife is misconceiving the Alaafin , Paramount with the Heart of Gold, and his peace initiative, as the symbol of his humility hence taking decisions that are not only Ultra vires, but derogatory to the Titan of Yorubaland,” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, the Ooni has stated that he would ignore the Alaafin’s 48-hour ultimatum.
Moses Olafare, Oba Ogunwusi’s spokesperson, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, disclosed that Oba Ogunwusi had particularly directed him to ignore the Oyo monarch.
According to him: “My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala. 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, as 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 please (sic) 48 Hours My Foot!!!”
