The Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, Osun State, has claimed that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, may be under a spiritual influence due to their recurring clashes.
The association’s president, Oluseyi Atanda, stated that rituals might be needed to restore peace between the two foremost Yoruba monarchs.
Similarly, renowned poet and Ifa priest, Ifayemi Elebuibon, revealed that traditionalists had already been offering sacrifices for peace in Yorubaland.
The renewed tensions surfaced on Monday after the Alaafin criticised Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
Oba Ogunwusi had bestowed the title during the unveiling of 2geda, an indigenous social media and business networking platform, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 16.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Ooni to revoke the title or “face the consequences,” insisting that no other ruler had authority to grant a title covering the entire Yorubaland.
However, Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said Oba Ogunwusi had directed him to ignore the threat and leave the issue “in the court of public opinion.”
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Atanda expressed concern over the public outbursts between the monarchs and warned their aides to act with restraint.
The gynaecologist lamented the rift, noting that both kings were advocates of traditional religion and should not be at loggerheads.
Atanda said, “The two monarchs are traditionalists. We are from the same father. What could have caused the fight? May we not be under spell in Yorubaland. What is happening could be a spell from some people who don’t want the Yoruba race to unite.
“What is happening can turn into a serious crisis; before you know it, some Yoruba monarchs will be queuing behind Alaafin and others will align with Ooni, and there will be a crisis.”
Asked if he believed the Alaafin and Ooni were under a spell, Atanda said, “It can be a spell. What is the reason for the quarrel? Both kings are wealthy, influential and exposed.”
Similarly, Elebuibon described the dispute as needless, urging both monarchs to prioritise Yorubaland’s progress over personal supremacy battles.
The Araba of Osogbo said, “We are trying to resolve a matter, but somebody is frustrating the efforts (a n je ekuru k’tan, enikan tun gbonwo re s’awo). I wasn’t expecting what is happening. The two monarchs are cool-headed; they are frontline Yoruba monarchs representing the race across the world. If the two of them are exchanging words, it is a disgrace to every Yoruba.
“What should be paramount to them should be the development of the Yoruba race, not a supremacy battle. What are we going to gain from a supremacy battle? Some people are fanning the ember of discord, but the two monarchs should be above board. Criminals from other races are killing our people and trying to occupy our land, yet what we have is a supremacy battle from our monarchs. That shouldn’t be. God will settle everything. We are praying and offering sacrifices.”
No Fresh Legal Process
Findings revealed that the Alaafin was not considering a new legal action against the Ooni. Oba Owoade maintained that he would instead release a Supreme Court judgment, which he claims supports his exclusive right to confer chieftaincy titles across Yorubaland.
Monday’s clash marked the second dispute between the two monarchs this year.
Earlier in March, they had locked horns over control of Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, USA, following the killing of the village leader, Adejuyigbe Adefunmi.
Ooni had dispatched a delegation of monarchs to perform traditional rites after Adefunmi’s death.
However, Oba Owoade, then in seclusion, allegedly called one of the emissaries and demanded they leave the community, insisting it belonged to Oyo’s territory.
When contacted on Friday, Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, declined to disclose the monarch’s next move after the expiry of the 48-hour ultimatum.
Asked whether Oba Owoade would sue Ooni for refusing to revoke the title, Durojaiye said, “I am under instruction not to talk to anyone on this matter again. I can only tell you that prominent Yoruba leaders both within and outside the country have intervened. That it is.”
Regarding the referenced Supreme Court judgment, he said, “You will read it by yourself when we release it. Just be patient.”
An insider at the palace confirmed that Alaafin had no plans to pursue a fresh legal battle, citing the existing Supreme Court ruling.
The source said, “It has not got to that. There is an existing Supreme Court ruling, so instituting another legal process may not be necessary. It is not a fresh issue. It is recurring.
“There are many Yoruba elders who have been calling Kabiesi every day on the matter. The call is too much; appealing that we should allow Yoruba elders to wade in.
“However, the matter is not over. We are going to review and reveal our next step on the matter,” he said.
Another palace source confirmed that Alaafin had instructed his aides to avoid inciting comments and said efforts were ongoing to reconcile both rulers.
“I can confirm that our elders have intervened and they are making moves to settle the matter at both ends. Talking to the press may jeopardise their efforts,” he stated.
Saturday PUNCH also gathered from Ooni’s palace that Oba Ogunwusi remained calm and uninterested in escalating the feud.
“They were the ones who issued an ultimatum and they are the ones that know the consequences they want to unleash. They should be asked what their next action will be.
“Honestly, we (Ooni’s palace) don’t want to join issue with anybody on this matter. They have issued a threat and they should tell us what to expect. They are not even remorseful about it. We have left the matter in public opinion. The people should judge.”
Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, declined further comments on the issue.
