BREAKING: Tension Alaafin Gives Ooni 48 Hours to Revoke Chieftaincy Title Conferred on Ilaji

Tension Alaafin Gives Ooni 48 Hours to Revoke Chieftaincy Title Conferred on Ilaji

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland recently conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.

In a statement on Monday signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an affront to his authority, stressing that the conferment of any title covering the entire Yorubaland remained the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin.

Oba Owoade alleged that the Ooni exceeded his traditional jurisdiction and disregarded a Supreme Court judgment, which he claimed affirmed the Alaafin’s prerogative on such matters.

“The conferment of chieftaincy titles which border on Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland, but it also goes against the authority of the Supreme Court,” the statement read in part.

The Alaafin further argued that Oba Ogunwusi’s instrument of office limited his authority to Oranmiyan Local Government—now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South—making the conferment null and void.

He warned that failure to revoke the title within 48 hours would attract “dire consequences,” cautioning that his peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness.

“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test. The Ooni of Ife must revoke the so-called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences,” the Alaafin declared.

As of press time, the Ooni of Ife was yet to respond to the ultimatum.