With 24 hours to go, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has opted to turn a deaf ear to 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.
The Ooni’s media aide, Moses Olafare, said on Tuesday that the monarch had directed him not to “dignify the undignified” by issuing 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.
Tensions arose between the two most prominent Yoruba traditional rulers as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, issued a stern ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of a chieftaincy title recently conferred on an Ibadan businessman.
This happened while the Olubadan designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, reflects on his decades-long journey to the throne of Ibadanland.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of overstepping traditional boundaries by bestowing the title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on Engineer Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin described the move as an “affront” and a “direct challenge” to his authority, insisting that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to confer titles that apply across the entire Yorubaland.
“The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland,” the statement read. “The Supreme Court has ruled that only the Alaafin holds such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts.”
The Alaafin has given the Ooni a 48-hour deadline to withdraw the title, warning that failure to do so would bring consequences.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan, the Olubadan designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, received a hero’s welcome on Monday as he returned to the city after a long absence.
Addressing a crowd of supporters who gathered at his Bodija residence, the former Oyo State governor described his path to the throne as one marked by patience, trials, and divine grace.
Ladoja recounted his 31-year journey through the ranks of the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system, starting with his installation as Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland on October 1, 1993 — just before his election to the Senate. He reflected on the many notable figures present at his early chieftaincy ceremonies, including MKO Abiola, Lamidi Adedibu, and Orisabunmi, all of whom have since passed away.
“It has been a journey of patience, perseverance, and the grace of God,” he said. “While the system is structured and predictable, the timing of ascension is never in the hands of any man—only God decides.”
Ladoja paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing him as a dignified custodian of tradition. He expressed shock at the monarch’s passing, stating he never imagined destiny would call him to the throne so soon.
Following his official nomination as the 44th Olubadan on August 4 by the Olubadan Advisory Council, Ladoja expressed his gratitude to the council and pledged to maintain a collaborative relationship with them moving forward. He also assured Ibadan residents that he would soon begin consultations with key stakeholders, including the Oyo State Governor, the Oluwo, and the Araba of Ibadanland, to map out the coronation process.
The Olubadan designate called on all Ibadan indigenes, at home and in the diaspora, to pray for him as he prepares to assume the revered stool.
“I seek your prayers for God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to guide me in the discharge of this sacred duty. It is a huge responsibility, and I pray for divine direction to lead Ibadanland with fairness, peace, and progress,” he said.
