Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum given to him by the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Abimbola Owoade over the conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
Ooni’s media aide, Moses Olafare, said on Tuesday that the monarch had directed him not to issue an official response to the Alaafin’s demand.
Mr Olafare wrote on Facebook, “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 undignified with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion as it is already being treated.
“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us.
No Press Release pls. 48 Hours My Foot!!”
On Monday, the Alaafin had given the Ooni 48 hours to revoke the title conferred on Mr Sanusi.
In a statement signed by his director of media and publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an affront to his authority.
He insisted that only the Alaafin has the right to bestow titles covering the entire Yorubaland.
The Alaafin said the Ooni acted beyond his jurisdiction, noting that the instrument of office given to him limits his authority to the Ife area, covering Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South local governments.
He also claimed that the Supreme Court had affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive power to confer pan-Yoruba titles.
“The dictum that nobody is above the law of the land is now being put to a crucial test,” the statement read.
“It is obligatory for the Alaafin to call the Ooni of Ife to order and demand revocation of the so-called Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on Engineer Dotun Sanusi within 48 hours or face the consequences.”
Oba Owoade was appointed Alaafin of Oyo by governor Seyi Makinde in January and officially crowned on April 5 after completing the traditional rites.
He became the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died in April 2022.
Oba Ogunwusi, on the other hand, ascended the throne on October 26, 2015, from the Giesi ruling house and was crowned on December 7 the same year, following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The Ooni is regarded as the custodian of Yoruba heritage and traditions in Ile-Ife.