Ooni’s aide plays down Alaafin’s reported ultimatum on chieftaincy title

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Palace of the Ooni of Ife has dismissed reports of a 48-hour ultimatum allegedly issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, over the conferment of a chieftaincy title.

Reacting in a Facebook post, the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Yera Moses Olafare, said his principal, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had directed that no official press statement be released on the matter. He stressed that the palace would not give undue attention to such remarks.

According to Olafare, “My principal has directed me against issuing a press release on the empty threat of the Alawada Babasala. We cannot dignify the undignifiable with an official response. The matter is already being treated in the court of public opinion.”

He added that it was more important to focus on issues that unite the Yoruba people rather than narratives capable of causing division. “No press release, please. Forty-eight hours, my foot,” he wrote.

It will be recalled that Oba Owoade, on Monday, issued a statement protesting the conferment of the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife.

The Alaafin, in a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, described the Ooni’s action as a direct affront to his authority.

He warned that the title should be revoked within 48 hours, insisting that the conferment undermined the traditional order.

The development has since sparked debate across Yoruba land, with many observers calling for restraint and unity among the region’s foremost traditional rulers.