The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Tuesday, declared that the 48- hour ultimatum given by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade on the Okanlomo chieftaincy title amounts to an empty threat.
Ooni Ogunwusi stated this in a post by the Director Media and Public Affairs, Palace of Oonirisha/House of Oduduwa, Otunba Yera Moses Olafare.
The monarch’s position came as the Yoruba Heritage Forum (YHF) and a monarch from Ekiti state cautioned Oba Owoade against reigniting traditional rivalries, particularly concerning the status of the Ooni of Ife.
…‘Ooni not moved’
Speaking on the issue, Ooni’s media aide said: “Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us.
“From Ooni’s Palace: My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat I beg to disappoint you gentlemen of the press.”
The post added: “We cannot dignify the undignifyable 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!!!”
…Oba Adeagbo weighs in
Also in a reaction, the Oore of Otun Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland in Ekiti state, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, said: “It is important to note that as the Natural Father of the Yoruba race and spiritual head of Odùduwà race worldwide, the Ooni wields unequivocal authority to bestow titles of territorial relevance.”
Oba Adeagbo, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, declared: “For the avoidance of doubt, Ooni has never conceived it, talk less of installing anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. We therefore challenge anyone with verifiable evidence that Ooni has traditionally or culturally installed such a title on anyone to present it to the public.
“It is important to note that as the Natural Father of the Yoruba race and spiritual head of Odùduwà race worldwide, the Ooni wields unequivocal authority to bestow titles of territorial relevance if and when necessary. However, His Majesty’s vision and preoccupation are far greater than minor Chieftaincy titles.”
“His focus rests on the larger task of unifying our people across Nigeria and Africa who trace their origin to Ilé-Ifẹ̀ for peace, progress, and development that far transcend such narrow contestations.
“Since ascending the throne of Odùduwà, Ooni has carried out only three official territorial chieftaincy installations namely; The Odole Oodua, Iyalaje OODUA and Yeye Oodua all deeply rooted in spiritual and ancestral imperatives, which Baba Ooni had bestowed on Sir Dr Adebutu Kensington, Princess Dr Toyin Kolade and Erelu Abiola Dosumu respectively,” the monarch added.
…Yoruba group cautions
And sounding a note of caution, the YHF urged Alaafin Owoade to desist from distorting Yoruba history.
In a statement Tuesday by the YHF general secretary, the Forum described the Alaafin’s actions as “legally baseless and historically unsustainable.”
It said: “Any reliance on such a phantom judgment constitutes a grave error and distortion of Yoruba history.”
“Traditional authority in Yorubaland is not coterminous with modern local government areas. The Ooni’s position is not merely that of a local king in Ifẹ̀, but a symbolic and spiritual figure whose relevance extends across the Yoruba world.”
While dismissing any position that chieftaincy titles conferred by the Alaafin, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo, carry authority beyond Oyo and its surrounding areas, Aduwo said: “The Alaafin is firmly advised to desist from issuing childish threats or attempting to re-ignite dormant rivalries. The Yoruba nation, already burdened by insecurity and economic instability, cannot afford another crisis over chieftaincy politics.”
The YHF warned that attempts by any individual or groups to cause mayhem under whatever guise, including traditional supremacy, would be legally resisted by the collective will of the Yoruba people.