Prominent Yoruba leaders and elders have called for restraint following a fresh clash between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. Tensions flared after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Chief Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of a local social networking platform in Ibadan. In a statement, the Alaafin claimed exclusive authority to bestow such titles and issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the Ooni to withdraw it. The Ooni, however, dismissed the demand, with his spokesperson describing the comments as “undignifyable” and leaving the matter to public opinion.
This latest dispute adds to a string of visible tensions between the two foremost monarchs. In May, the Alaafin was seen refusing to stand when the Ooni entered an event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and a month later, both leaders appeared to snub each other at the West African Economic Summit in Abuja. While both palaces have denied a rift, public exchanges have continued to spark unease across Yorubaland.
Seeking to ease tensions, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said he had begun reaching out to Yoruba leaders and elders to mediate. Describing the two monarchs as “fathers,” he stressed the need for reconciliation to prevent old wounds from reopening. Adams urged cultural and political figures to step in, expressing optimism that the crisis would soon be resolved amicably.
The Yoruba Council of Elders also urged both monarchs to exercise restraint, warning against actions that run contrary to the Omoluabi ethos. Its Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, called on the governments of Osun and Oyo states to intervene urgently, stressing that history and tradition must guide any resolution. Similarly, Ifa scholar and former OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wande Abimbola, appealed for calm and revealed plans for a high-level meeting of Yoruba rulers and elders across the six Yoruba states to settle the dispute behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Nurudeen Akinade, criticised the Alaafin’s 48-hour ultimatum as irrational and divisive. They urged Yoruba leaders to take swift action to prevent the feud from escalating further, warning that the image of traditional institutions could be badly damaged if the crisis is allowed to linger.