Okanlomo: Alaafin Challenges Ooni’s Authority, Demands Revocation of Dotun Sanusi’s Title

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern warning to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, regarding the conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on business tycoon Dotun Sanusi. In a press release, the Alaafin demanded that the title be revoked within 48 hours.

This was contained in a press release made available to MOUTHPIECE NGR on Monday through Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.

The Alaafin asserted that, as the Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and Superior Head of Yorubaland, he holds the exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles covering the entire Yorubaland.

He accused the Ooni of Ife of overstepping his authority and disrespecting the institution of the Alaafin.

The Alaafin referenced a Supreme Court ruling that upheld his exclusive preserve to confer chieftaincy titles across Yorubaland.

He expressed concern that the Ooni’s actions could be misconstrued as a sign of weakness on the part of the Alaafin.

The statement read: “The attention of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Titan of Yorubaland, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has been drawn to the purported conferment of the chieftaincy title of OKANLOMO of Yorubaland on a business tycoon, Dotun Sanusi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

“The conferment of a chieftaincy title that pertains to Yorubaland by the Ooni of Ife is not only an affront to the revered institution of the Alaafin, who is the Titan of Yorubaland and holds the exclusive right to confer any chieftaincy title covering the entire Yorubaland on anyone.

“The Ooni of Ife is behaving as if there is no authority to check and call him to order, and because of this “above the law” syndrome of his, he is in the habit of walking over everybody’s rights, including those of the apex court in the country, the Supreme Court, which has ruled on the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin to confer chieftaincy titles that cover the entire Yorubaland on anyone.

“The instrument of office presented to Oba Ogunwusi during his installation specifically limits his traditional area of authority to Oranmiyan Local Government, which has now been split into three Local Governments, namely: Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South.

“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test, and the reality of our time makes it obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand the REVOCATION of the so-called OKANLOMO of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Engineer Dotun Sanusi WITHIN 48 HOURS or face the consequences.

“It is a statement of fact that during the Alaafin’s unity tour to Yoruba monarchs, he reiterated his message that there could be no development without unity.

“Oba Owoade told the gathering: “It is the joy of our forefathers for us to be in unity, and they did their part in ensuring peace and unity in Yorubaland; we must also strive to achieve this. God Himself is involved in our matters; therefore, we must always, at all times, be concerned about the peace and unity of Yorubaland. We say we want development, but no meaningful and sustainable development will come without peace and unity.”

“However, it seems the Ooni of Ife is misconstruing the Alaafin, Paramount with the Heart of Gold, and his peace initiative as a sign of weakness, hence taking decisions that are not only ultra vires but also derogatory to the Titan of Yorubaland.”

By Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.