The Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, Oba Omotooyosi Bayo M. Akinleye, on Tuesday declared that the authority of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, does not extend beyond Oyo land. His remarks came in reaction to the Alaafin’s 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the withdrawal of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland, recently bestowed on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi (Ilaji).
Olukosi Emphasises Ooni’s Primacy
Speaking through his official X handle, Oba Akinleye underscored that every monarch’s authority is restricted to his domain. He further emphasised the primacy of the Ooni of Ife within Yoruba tradition, invoking the lineage of Oduduwa as the ancestral root of all Yoruba monarchs.
“Alaafin authority ends on Oyo land. Owa Obokun authority ends on Ijesa land. Awujale authority ends on Ijebu land. Alake authority ends on Egba land,” he wrote. “No child is older than who father them. We are all children of Oduduwa, and the Ooni is sitting on our father’s throne.”
Social Media Debate Erupts
The statement drew sharp reactions online. A user identified as Baasigun (@thinkwisee1) countered that a Supreme Court ruling had previously affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive rights over titles spanning Yorubaland, arguing that the Ooni’s conferment was unlawful.
But the Olukosi pushed back, questioning the historical and cultural basis of such a legal interpretation. “Does Supreme Court of Nigeria give Oyo power to lord over Ijesa? Based on what historical background?” he queried.
Another commenter, Gabriel (@Gabriel_Leye), advised restraint, warning that making strong pronouncements on social media could escalate tensions. In response, Oba Akinleye insisted that clarification was necessary “for the sake of the new generation of Yorubas.”
Alaafin Stands Firm on Authority
The controversy began after the Alaafin, through his spokesperson Bode Durojaiye, issued a statement condemning the Ooni’s action. He insisted that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles covering the whole of Yorubaland, citing a Supreme Court judgment as backing.
Describing the Ooni’s decision as “unlawful, derogatory, and beyond his jurisdiction,” Oba Owoade argued that the Ooni’s traditional powers are limited to Ife land—now the Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South local governments. He warned that the refusal to revoke the title within 48 hours would attract “dire consequences,” stressing that his conciliatory posture should not be mistaken for weakness.
A Battle Over Tradition and Legitimacy
The unfolding standoff highlights the long-standing debate over the distribution of authority among Yoruba monarchs. While the Alaafin of Oyo has historically claimed overarching influence in conferring pan-Yoruba titles, the Ooni of Ife is widely regarded as the spiritual and ancestral leader of the Yoruba race.
The tension also reflects the growing role of social media in amplifying traditional disputes, with younger generations of Yoruba people increasingly demanding clarity on the limits of royal powers in a modern democratic state.
For now, the ultimatum stands, but whether the Ooni will yield, or the Alaafin will attempt to enforce his threat, remains to be seen. What is clear is that this latest dispute has once again reignited a centuries-old rivalry over who truly holds primacy in Yorubaland.