Ooni never conferred Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Dotun Sanusi, says Oore of Moba
The Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has said the story making the rounds that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan-based business tycoon, Chief Dotun Sanusi is false.
In a press statement by Akogun Banjo Ayinde, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oore of Moba, the monarch said the Ooni has never envisioned installing anyone as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. He challenged anyone who has proof that the Ooni has conferred such a title to make it public.
He clarified that the Ooni “has carried out only three official territorial chieftaincy installations namely; The Odole Oodua, Iyalaje OODUA and Yeye Oodua…bestowed on Sir Dr Adebutu Kensington, Princess Dr Toyin KOLADE and Erelu Abiola Dosumu respectively”.
Oba Adeagbo confirmed that Chief Dotun Sanusi was, however, honoured with the title of Okanlomo Oodua.
He maintained that there is no dispute on Ooni’s position as the Arole Odùduwà with absolute authority to confer titles of territorial significance as deemed essential, but noted, “His Majesty’s vision and preoccupation are far greater than minor chieftaincy titles.
“His focus rests on the larger task of unifying our people across Nigeria and Africa who trace their origin to Ilé-Ifẹ̀ for peace, progress, and development that far transcend such narrow contestations.
Referring to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade’s 48 hours ultimatum for the revocation of the chieftaincy title, the traditional ruler said, “Leadership is never by forceful enthronement nor by empty threats, but by service, wisdom, and natural acceptability”.
Oba Adeagbo urged the Alaafin to end what he called “the fruitless struggle for emperorship”, adding that such a concept has long been diminished by constitutional democracy.
