Moses Olafare, the spokesperson of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has stated that the monarch will not respond to the ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, which demanded the reversal of a chieftaincy title conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Olafare said the Ooni has directed him not to reply to what he described as the “empty threat” of the Alaafin.
He wrote, “My principal has directed me against issuing a press release on the empty threat of the Alawada Babasala. I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press. We cannot dignify the undignifyable with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion, as it is already being treated.” He urged that conversations focus on unity rather than division.
The controversy began when Oba Owoade issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Monday, calling the conferment of the chieftaincy title an “affront” to his institution.
According to the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin is the exclusive authority to confer any chieftaincy title covering the entirety of Yorubaland.
Durojaiye accused the Ooni of Ife of exhibiting an “above the law” syndrome, ignoring the Supreme Court’s ruling that affirms the Alaafin’s sole authority to confer such titles.
He clarified that the Ooni’s traditional authority is limited to the Oranmiyan Local Government Area (now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South).
The statement warned that the Alaafin would demand the revocation of the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” chieftaincy title granted to Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face unspecified consequences, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
