Yoruba elders to wade into dispute between Alaafin and Ooni over the conferment of titles

YORUBA elders have begun making moves to avert what could end up being a huge rift between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife following the latter's conferment of the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Chief Dotun Sanusi of Ibadan.

Earlier this week, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, conferred the title on Chief Sanusi, to the chagrin of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, who labelled it a breach of tradition. According to Oba Owoade, only the Alaafin had the authority to confer Yoruba-wide titles on anyone.

Oba Owoade subsequently gave the Ooni 48 hours to rescind the decision and revoke the title as by conferring it, his actions were a direct affront to the authority of the Alaafin and the traditional institution he represents. In a statement issued by his press secretary Bode Durojaye, the Alaafin pointed out that only he has the exclusive right to confer chieftancy titles that encompass all of Yorubaland, a right he claimed was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In response to the row, opinion makers across the southwest geo-political zone have decided to collectively deliberate and resolve the matter. Already, however, the dispute has caused divisions, with Chief Asimiyu Ariori, the president of Ibadan Mogajis and Nurudeen Akinade, the coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, unhappy about the 48 hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin.

In response, the Ibadan Mogajis described the Alaafin’s action as irrational and divisive and they called on Yoruba elders and leaders to intervene in the simmering feud and stem further escalation. They further alleged that the Alaafin had, during a recent visit to Ibadan, spoken disrespectfully to the Ooni of Ife, warning that such conduct was unbecoming of a custodian of Yoruba culture.

Chief Ariori said: “The kind of Alaafin we have now may end up being an embarrassment to Yorubaland. He has started provoking Ibadan people by targeting a foremost Olubadan chief, philanthropist and respected personality, Dotun Sanusi and Ibadan will resist any attack on its pride.”

Meanwhile, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, backed the Ooni as head of all kings in Yorubaland. Abagun Omololu, the Afenifere organising secretary, blamed the British for the confusion after dividing the Yorubaland into several provinces to facilitate administration.

According to Mr Omololu, the Alaafin’s authority was confined to Oyo Province and constituent towns, while the Ooni’s supremacy transcended provincial boundaries. He claimed that the evidence of the Ooni’s supremacy is epitomised in the fact that all Yoruba lineages trace their origin to Ile-Ife.

Mr Omolulo added: “While the Alaafin of Oyo retained historic prestige as a symbol of the Oyo Empire’s political might, the Ooni of Ife was superior in colonial recognition as the spiritual head of the entire Yoruba nation. This was not a power imposed by the British but rather one they acknowledged, codified and used in their provincial administration.”

Backing the Afenifere, a legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the Ooni was within his powers as custodian of Yoruba identity to confer the Okanlomo title on Chief Sanusi. He further held that no Supreme Court judgment or constitutional instrument vests exclusive pan-Yoruba jurisdiction in the Alaafin.