The Ibadan monarchs, traditional stakeholders, Mogajis, Baales, and other leaders have tackled the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, over his 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, to revoke the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on Engr. Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Ibadan-born philanthropist and Bada Olubadan designate.
The Alaafin, in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, had argued that the Ooni lacked the exclusive right to confer the title, stressing that such authority belonged solely to the Alaafin of Oyo as custodian of titles that extend across Yorubaland.
Reacting, the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, described the Alaafin’s move as an “attack on Ibadanland.”
They insisted that “an attack on the Bada Olubadan designate is an attack on the entire Ibadanland” and urged Yoruba leaders to call the Alaafin to order, adding that his “irrational behavior” must be checked.
The stakeholders noted that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, never opposed the conferment of the title on Sanusi by the Ooni of Ife, which was done in 2020 during the unveiling of a social media platform, 2GEDA, at Ilaji Resorts. According to them, the conferment was not even on the agenda at the time but came as a surprise pronouncement by the Ooni.
They further recalled that Sanusi and the late Alaafin enjoyed a cordial relationship, with several meetings between them, including at the 70th birthday of Chief Lekan Alabi at the University of Ibadan. The late monarch had even planned a visit to Sanusi to commend his philanthropic efforts before his passing.
Describing the current Alaafin’s action as provocative, the Ibadan leaders accused him of attempting to stir division, citing his failed bid to claim the chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
“The kind of Alaafin we have now may end up being an embarrassment to Yorubaland,” the statement read. “He has started provoking Ibadan people by attacking a foremost Olubadan chief, a philanthropist, and a respected personality. An attack on the Bada Olubadan designate is an attack on Ibadanland. Yorubas should caution him against irrational and divisive thinking.”
They also alleged that the Alaafin had recently insulted the Ooni of Ife during a visit to Ibadan, warning that his “irrational behavior” should not be allowed to spread beyond Oyo.
