By Muhammad Mamman
The palace of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has sharply rebuffed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade, demanding the revocation of the Okanlomo of Oodua chieftaincy title bestowed upon Ibadan-based engineer Dotun Sanusi, widely known as Ilaji.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, described the Alaafin’s demand as an “empty threat” unworthy of a formal response. “My principal has instructed me to refrain from dignifying the undignifiable with an official statement,” Olafare declared. “We leave this matter to the court of public opinion, where it is already being addressed. Let us focus on narratives that unite, not divide, our people.” He concluded with a defiant flourish: “48 Hours? Nonsense!”
The Alaafin had asserted that conferring chieftaincy titles in Yorubaland is his exclusive prerogative, citing a Supreme Court ruling, and branded the Ooni’s action as null and void. He insisted on the immediate withdrawal of the title within 48 hours, threatening unspecified consequences if unmet.
The Ooni’s palace, however, remains unmoved, standing firm in its decision and dismissing the ultimatum as baseless.
