48 Hours My Foot! Ooni Dares Alaafin As Palace Aide Dismisses ‘Empty Threat

The spokesperson for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Moses Olafare, has dismissed as an “empty threat” the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, over the chieftaincy title conferred on Ibadan-based businessman, Dotun Sanusi.

In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin had accused the Ooni of overstepping his bounds by bestowing the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Sanusi, insisting that only the Alaafin holds the authority to confer titles with jurisdiction across Yorubaland.

According to the Oyo monarch, the Ooni’s instrument of office limits his jurisdiction to the former Oranmiyan Local Government—now split into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South. He, therefore, demanded that the title be revoked within 48 hours, warning of consequences should the directive be ignored.

The Alaafin further argued that the Ooni’s action amounted to a direct challenge to his authority, even as he recalled his recent unity tour across Yorubaland, where he stressed the need for peace and solidarity as the basis for development in the region.

Reacting in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Olafare revealed that the Ooni had specifically instructed him to ignore the ultimatum.

He wrote:
“My principal has directed me not to issue any press release on the empty threat of the Alawada Babasala. We cannot dignify the ‘undignifyable’ with an official response. The matter has already been taken to the court of public opinion.

Let’s focus on narratives that unite us, not those that divide. No press release, please… 48 hours, my foot!”