The Ooni of Ife’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, has described as an “empty threat from a dead empire” the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, demanding the withdrawal of a chieftaincy title allegedly conferred on an Ibadan businessman.
The Alaafin had accused Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi of overstepping his bounds by allegedly bestowing the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Chief Dotun Sanusi, insisting that only the Alaafin holds the authority to confer titles with pan-Yoruba significance.
He cited a Supreme Court judgment to back his claim.
Reacting via WhatsApp on Tuesday, Olafare dismissed the ultimatum as baseless, insisting that the Ooni was more focused on developmental projects than on “supremacy battles.”
He said, “The Ooni is busy setting up businesses and creating jobs for youths across Yorubaland, while some are fighting a supremacy battle through an expired empire.
“Their 48-hour ultimatum will soon lapse. We are waiting.”
He further cited the upcoming launch of the Ojaja Smart City project in Ibadan as proof of the Ooni’s focus on socioeconomic development rather than traditional rivalries.
Amid the controversy, the Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, also dismissed claims that the Ooni had conferred the title in question.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, the Oore said there was no evidence that the Ooni ever conceived or installed anyone as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ooni has never conceived it, let alone installed anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
“We challenge anyone with verifiable evidence to present it to the public,” the statement read.
The Oore further stressed that the Ooni, as the spiritual head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, retains the authority to bestow titles of territorial relevance if deemed necessary.