IBADAN: Prominent Yoruba elders and leaders on Tuesday appealed for calm as tensions flared between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the conferment of a pan-Yoruba title.
The dispute erupted after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to honour businessman and philanthropist, Chief Dotun Sanusi, with the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland during the unveiling of 2geda, an indigenous social media and business networking platform in Ibadan.
In a statement issued by his aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin declared that only he holds authority to bestow pan-Yoruba titles, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the Ooni to revoke the honour or face the consequences.
But the Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, dismissed the ultimatum, calling it an undignified outburst” and insisting the matter should be left to public opinion
This latest spat adds to a string of incidents fueling speculation of strained relations between the two foremost Yoruba monarchs.
In May, the Alaafin remained seated during an event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu while others stood to greet the Ooni.In June, the pair ignored each other at the West African Economic Summit in Abuja.
Although both palaces have publicly denied any rift, the repeated tensions have raised fears over unity in Yorubaland.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, confirmed he had begun reaching out to Yoruba leaders to mediate.
It is an issue between two fathers, Adams said. We don’t want the unity of Yoruba land tampered with. I will speak to both monarchs and work with leaders to ensure peace.”
Similarly, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) urged caution, warning that any conduct outside the Yoruba Omoluabi ethos could further damage relations.
Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, called on the governments of Oyo and Osun States to urgently step in and prevent escalation.
World-renowned Ifa scholar, Prof. Wande Abimbola, also appealed for calm, revealing plans to convene a high-level meeting of Yoruba rulers and elders across all Yoruba-speaking states, including Kwara, to resolve the crisis.
In Ibadan, the President of Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Nurudeen Akinade, criticised the Alaafin’s ultimatum, describing it as “irrational and divisive.
They warned that Ibadan would resist any attempt to undermine Sanusi, whom they hailed as a respected son of Ibadanland.
The crisis has also reopened historical debates about authority among Yoruba monarchs.
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, backed the Ooni as the spiritual head of the Yoruba nation, stressing that all Yoruba lineages trace their origins to Ile-Ife.
Legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that no statute or court ruling grants the Alaafin exclusive rights to confer pan-Yoruba titles.
The Ooni acted lawfully and within cultural tradition, he said, describing Ile-Ife as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.
Despite sharp exchanges, Yoruba leaders expressed optimism that the matter would soon be resolved.
Our political and cultural leaders must step in, Adams stressed. This is about preserving Yoruba unity, and I believe a resolution will come soon.
