Royal Rift Rekindled: Ooni, Alaafin Clash Over Chieftaincy Title Echoes Historic Dispute

Oyo state, Nigeria–A new royal controversy has erupted in Yorubaland, reigniting a decades-old rivalry between two of the region’s most prominent traditional stools  the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo  over the conferment of a high-profile chieftaincy title.

Social media buzzed on Monday after the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, demanding the withdrawal of the title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland,” recently conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi.

The Alaafin’s strongly worded warning has reopened a historic fault line between the two powerful monarchs, spotlighting tensions around traditional jurisdiction and claims of supremacy within the Yoruba traditional hierarchy.

While the Ooni refrained from issuing an official statement in response, his palace indicated that the matter would be left for public judgment, signaling an unwillingness to engage directly with the confrontation.

This recent flare-up bears striking resemblance to a similar episode in 1991, when the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, clashed with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, over the conferment of the chieftaincy title “Akinrogun of Yorubaland” on Chief Tom Ikimi, then National Chairman of the National Republican Convention.

At the time, Oba Adeyemi publicly criticized the title as lacking in historical credibility and warned Ikimi against accepting it. In a letter circulated to the press, the Alaafin advised Ikimi to avoid becoming “a laughing stock,” accusing the Ooni of overreaching his authority and manufacturing titles beyond his traditional jurisdiction.

The conflict escalated to the point where the then military governor of Oyo State, Col. AbdulKareem Adisa, attempted to intervene, urging monarchs to seek gubernatorial approval before conferring titles of regional significance. Adisa warned that unregulated conferment could deepen already existing tensions among traditional rulers.

Despite the government’s caution, the Ooni of Ife insisted on proceeding with the ceremony. His palace clarified that Ikimi was being named “Akinrogun of Ile-Ife,” not “Yorubaland,” and dismissed the Alaafin’s objections as stemming from personal animosity. The Ooni asserted his authority, referencing spiritual and historical roots tied to Ile-Ife, the acknowledged cradle of the Yoruba people.

In a bold declaration during the conferment ceremony, Oba Sijuwade claimed that he had the power to revoke the crown of the Alaafin, citing his unique traditional mandate. He described the Ooni’s role as the source of Yoruba kingship and accused the state government of wrongful interference.

This assertion prompted a sharp rebuttal from Oba Adeyemi, who dismissed the Ooni’s claim as blasphemous. In a lengthy response, the Alaafin warned that continued provocation might compel him to challenge the Ooni’s claim to Oduduwa lineage and denounced what he described as “pagan practices” in Ile-Ife.

Eventually, the Oyo State government backtracked, permitting the Ooni to proceed with the conferment on the condition that the title was restricted to his domain.

Analysis:

The current dispute between Oba Owoade and Oba Ogunwusi appears to be a continuation of a longstanding power struggle between the Oyo and Ife thrones. At the heart of the matter lies a question of authority — who holds the legitimate right to confer titles that extend beyond local domains and carry pan-Yoruba significance?

Observers note that such disputes not only reflect personal rivalries but also underscore the need for clearer traditional protocols in a modern, multicultural Nigeria, where heritage and constitutional governance often intersect.

As Yorubaland once again witnesses a clash between its royal giants, many are watching to see whether the matter will be resolved amicably or escalate into another full-scale confrontation reminiscent of the past.
By Taiwo Olatinwo/ August 19,2025