Traditional rulers, Mogajis, Baales, and other stakeholders in Ibadan, on Tuesday, faulted the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, for issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to revoke the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on Chief Dotun Sanusi, a philanthropist and businessman.
It would be recalled that the Alaafin had, in a statement on Monday, demanded that the Ooni withdraw the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title given to Sanusi.
In a statement signed, the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator of Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, on behalf of the Ibadan stakeholders, described Alaafin Owoade’s position as an affront on Ibadanland.
Advertisement
To order your copy, send a WhatsApp message to +1 317 665 2180
“An attack on the Bada Olubadan designate is an attack on the entire Ibadanland. The irrational behaviour of Alaafin Owoade since ascending the throne must be checked and should not be extended to Ibadanland,” they said.
They noted that the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland was conferred on Sanusi years ago by Oba Ogunwusi during an event at Ilaji Hotels and Sport Resorts, stressing that the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, never opposed the honour.
“The late Alaafin Adeyemi was alive when Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi bestowed the title on Sanusi, and he never raised any objection. In fact, the late monarch had cordial relations with Sanusi and openly appreciated his contributions to Ibadanland and Yorubaland,” the statement read.
The stakeholders further recalled that Sanusi and Ooni share a long-standing relationship, noting that both men share the same birth date, October 17.
They cited instances where Sanusi attended Ooni’s birthday celebrations and Ooni reciprocated by visiting Ilaji Hotels and Sport Resorts in 2020, when he publicly pronounced Sanusi as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
They also highlighted several occasions where the late Alaafin Adeyemi III and Sanusi shared platforms and exchanged mutual respect, including the 70th birthday of Chief Lekan Alabi at the University of Ibadan.
Describing Alaafin’s stance as “provocative and divisive,” the stakeholders accused him of attempting to extend unnecessary conflicts to Ibadanland.
“Instead of engaging in initiatives that promote unity and development, the current Alaafin appears bent on stoking divisions. He has already lost credibility over the Oyo State Council of Obas chairmanship tussle, and now he is attacking a foremost Ibadan chief, philanthropist, and respected personality in Nigeria. This is unacceptable,” they said.Newspaper subscription bundles
They warned that any attack on Sanusi, as the Bada Olubadan-designate, would be seen as a direct attack on Ibadanland, and urged Yoruba leaders to caution the monarch.
