Yoruba Council Urges Alaafin of Oyo to Withdraw Ultimatum to Ooni of Ife

The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) has urged the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, to retract the 48-hour ultimatum he issued to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, amid a growing rift between the two revered monarchs. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The dispute arose after the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Chief Dotun Sanusi in Ibadan—a move the Alaafin contested, insisting that only his palace reserves the authority to grant such pan-Yoruba titles.

In a statement released on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Charles Adeyemi, the YCW called for calm and reconciliation rather than further division.

“These monarchs are not only traditional leaders but sacred custodians of Yoruba history, dignity, and culture. Moments like this demand calm, reflection, and unity rather than division,” the statement read.

The council urged Yoruba elders, statesmen, and cultural custodians to mediate and facilitate a peaceful resolution. It also recommended convening a Yoruba Obas Conference to formalize peace among traditional rulers in the region.

The YCW appealed to Yoruba citizens—especially the youth and social media users—to avoid inflammatory comments and instead promote dialogue and understanding.

“Our words carry weight, and in times of tension, they should be used to build bridges, not walls. The Alaafin and the Ooni represent eternal symbols of Yoruba civilization. Their unity is vital for cultural preservation and the collective dignity of the Yoruba nation,” it added.

Netizens React:

• Tomilola Olalekan Sowo: “All these groups are only encouraging the Alaafin’s antics. What can he even do to Ooni? Let him face the shame he’s bringing on himself. Joker.”

• utmostdecasual: “It’s better we iron this out now. Ooni is superior. Ile-Ife existed before any other Yoruba town. Oranmiyan, the last son of Oduduwa, founded Oyo Empire and Benin Kingdom. Ooni remains superior.”

• Engr Package Yemaks: “Ooni is Alaafin’s great grandfather. Go and study Yoruba history well.”

• Jimoh Oluwabunmi Ahmed: “Alaafin will be embarrassed either way. Ooni has more support in this age. This is not the era of gunpowder.”

• Akin Adeyanju: “Alaafin should be pushing for creation of a new Oyo State by now. Abi who chieftaincy help? Abi Oyo wan dey under Ibadan forever ni?”