The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has denied being in a supremacy battle with any monarch in Yorubaland or beyond. The monarch made this clarification in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in Ibadan. The clarification comes in the wake of rising tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, following the latter’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Oduwa on businessman Dotun Sanusi at the launch of the 2GEDA social media platform in Ibadan.
The Alaafin had faulted the Ooni’s action, citing tradition and a Supreme Court judgment which, according to him, reserves the authority to bestow Yoruba-wide titles for the Alaafin of Oyo. He reportedly gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to revoke the title, sparking speculation of a supremacy tussle between the two foremost Yoruba monarchs. However, in his palace statement, the Alaafin insisted that his reign is not defined by rivalry but by the duty to preserve Yoruba culture, tradition, and the welfare of his people.
Quoting Alexander Graham Bell, the palace noted that true leadership comes through steady progress and perseverance, describing Oba Owoade as “an indomitable monarch” who combines humility with royalty to meet modern demands. The statement traced his authority to spiritual and ancestral legitimacy, highlighting his induction into Yoruba traditional institutions and his lineage as a descendant of Oranmiyan, grandson of Oduduwa. It further recalled the historic role of Oyo as the most authoritative Yoruba empire, pointing out that the British colonial government recognized the Alaafin as the head of the Yoruba nation.
In response, the Ooni’s palace dismissed the Alaafin’s ultimatum as an “empty threat from a dead empire,” stressing that the Ife monarch is focused on youth empowerment and cultural advancement, not supremacy contests. The disagreement has, however, drawn concern from Yoruba leaders. The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, and other stakeholders have appealed for calm, urging both traditional rulers to avoid conflict and work together for unity.
Oba Owoade ascended the throne earlier this year as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, following the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who reigned for more than five decades. His reign has been marked by efforts to uphold Yoruba heritage and modernize traditional leadership. The latest controversy, though denied as a supremacy battle, underscores the sensitive nature of traditional titles and the delicate balance of influence among Yoruba monarchs.
