As Chieftaincy Title Reignites Alaafin, Ooni’s Rivalry

The rivalry between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, reignited recently when the Alaafin issued an ultimatum following a chieftaincy title conferment. Oba Owoade stirred controversy by demanding that Ooni Ogunwusi revoke the title of Okanlomo Yorubaland, which was recently conferred on a prominent businessman, Dotun Sanusi.

The Okanlomo title is traditionally granted by monarchs to distinguished individuals within their domains, and the Alaafin argued that the Ooni's jurisdiction is limited to the Ife axis. The Alaafin warned the Ooni not to mistake his calmness for weakness and accused him of overstepping his traditional authority.

The Ooni's camp dismissed the Alaafin's ultimatum as empty and unworthy of an official response. The rivalry between the two monarch.