Ooni Shuns Alaafin’s Ultimatum, Says Monarch Will Not React to ‘Empty Threat’
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan businessman, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
OTN News further reports that the Alaafin had described the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland, bestowed on Sanusi by the Ooni, as an “affront,” insisting that only his throne holds the exclusive authority to confer titles with jurisdiction across Yorubaland. He warned that the Ooni had 48 hours to withdraw the title or face consequences.
But in a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, declared that the monarch will not dignify the ultimatum with an official response, adding that the matter has already been left to the court of public opinion.
According to him, “My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala.
“I beg to disappoint you gentlemen of the press. We can not dignify the undignifyable with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion has it is already being treated.
“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us," he wrote.
OTN News observes that the statement underscores the growing tension between the revered traditional rulers over the exercise of influence in Yorubaland.
While the Alaafin maintains that his office wields the sole authority to grant such far-reaching titles, the Ooni appears resolute in his decision, preferring to avoid direct confrontation.
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