By John Dike, Osogbo
Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has chosen not to respond to the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, regarding the recent conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on the Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
This position was made public via a brief Facebook post by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni, who dismissed the ultimatum as inconsequential.
“48 hours my foot,” Olafare wrote, adding that the monarch had instructed him not to issue any formal press statement on the matter.
Earlier on Monday, Oba Owoade, who ascended the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in January 2025, had described the Ooni’s conferment of the chieftaincy title as an “affront” to Yoruba tradition and a breach of customary protocols.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin demanded the revocation of the title, warning of undisclosed consequences if his demand was not met within 48 hours.
The Alaafin’s camp further argued that, according to Yoruba traditional hierarchy and a referenced Supreme Court ruling, only the Alaafin holds the authority to confer chieftaincy titles that span across the entire Yorubaland.
The statement also made reference to the Ooni’s instrument of office, claiming it restricts his authority to the Ife region.
But Olafare maintained that the Ooni’s palace would not engage in any tit-for-tat exchange over the issue, branding the Alaafin’s demand as an “empty threat.”
“My principal has directed me not to issue a press release on the empty threat of the ‘Alawada Babasala’. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press,” he posted.
He further noted that the matter would be left to public discourse: “Let’s focus on narratives that unite us, not those that divide. No press release please. 48 hours, my foot!”
