The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has reaffirmed that the British colonial administration historically recognised the Alaafin as the sole supreme monarch of the Yoruba race, a position he insists was rooted in history, tradition, and political authority.
This declaration comes in the wake of rising tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, after the Ooni conferred the traditional title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi. The conferment took place at the launch of the 2geda media networking platform, held at Ilaji Hotel in Ibadan over the weekend, sparking controversy and debates across Yoruba land.
Reacting swiftly to the development, the Alaafin, through a statement released by his media aide, Bode Durojaye, on Monday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to withdraw the title or face what he described as “consequences.”
The ultimatum, however, elapsed on Wednesday without any formal response or acknowledgement from the Ooni’s palace, thereby fueling speculation about an imminent clash between the two most prominent Yoruba monarchs.
In a follow-up address delivered on Thursday, the Alaafin sought to clarify his position, dismissing suggestions that his stance was borne out of rivalry or competition with the Ooni. Instead, he stressed that his position was rooted in established historical facts that placed Oyo at the forefront of Yoruba leadership and authority.
“Oyo rose to prominence through its immense wealth generated from trade and its unrivalled military strength. These factors combined to establish it as the largest empire in West Africa and the most authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities,” he declared. “In line with their own traditions, the British colonial authorities recognised lineage as the true measure of supremacy and legitimacy. Thus, they chose to sign the Treaty of Cession with the Alaafin, acknowledging him as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”
The monarch explained further that this recognition by the British was not merely ceremonial or symbolic, but rather a clear acknowledgment of Oyo’s central role as the political, cultural, and administrative hub of the Yoruba people.
Reiterating his mission, the Alaafin said his covenant with his ancestors is to uphold, preserve, and promote the Yoruba culture and tradition handed down through the Oduduwa dynasty. He made it clear that his role was not to be drawn into needless supremacy contests with fellow monarchs, which he described as distractions from the greater responsibility of nation-building within Yoruba land.
Quoting the famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell, he said: “The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.” According to him, Yoruba leadership is not about loud supremacy battles but about gradual, consistent, and result-oriented governance.
“The Alaafin operates a system of governance that is judged purely by results. The prosperity of the land, the security of the people, and their welfare collectively determine the popularity and strength of the throne within the palace and across the empire,” the statement emphasized.
While affirming the pre-eminence of his throne, the Alaafin insisted that the dignity of Yoruba kingship must not be diminished by modern-day disputes over supremacy. He described such controversies as needless, stating that his focus will always remain on safeguarding Yoruba heritage, ensuring cultural continuity, and protecting the sacred legacy of the Oduduwa dynasty for generations to come.
His comments follow a wave of mixed reactions that trailed his earlier ultimatum. Several traditional councils, cultural groups, and Yoruba stakeholders have since urged him to reconsider and withdraw the ultimatum in the interest of peace, unity, and cohesion among Yoruba monarchs. Despite this, the Alaafin has continued to stand firm on his conviction that Oyo’s leadership in Yoruba history remains indisputable.
The unfolding development has sparked heated debates among Yoruba people at home and in the diaspora, with many calling for dialogue and reconciliation to avert a full-blown rift between the Alaafin and the Ooni, two monarchs regarded as pillars of Yoruba culture and identity.