Ooni of Ife rejects Alaafin’s 48-hour ultimatum to revoke Dotun Sanusi’s title, says he won’t dignify threats and leaves matter to public opinion

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has declined to respond to the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, demanding the withdrawal of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title recently conferred on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi.

Also read: Alaafin, Ooni Clash Sparks Tension Over Chieftaincy Title

The monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, disclosed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday, stating that the Ooni had directed him to ignore the threat.

“We cannot dignify the undignifyable with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion. No press release, please. 48 hours my foot!” Olafare wrote.

The statement followed Oba Owoade’s warning on Monday, in which he described the Ooni’s action as an “affront” and a “direct challenge” to his authority.

The Alaafin insisted that only his throne holds the exclusive right to bestow Yoruba-wide titles, citing a Supreme Court ruling to back his claim.

He further warned that if the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland bestowed on Sanusi is not revoked, “consequences will follow.”

The controversy has revived historical tensions between the two thrones. In 1991, the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, accused the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade, of desecrating tradition when he conferred the title of Akinrogun of Yorubaland on NRC chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi.

Also read: Ooni Palace Blasts Edited Video Of Alaafin Encounter At Abuja Summit

For now, the Ooni has chosen silence, urging focus on unity rather than division, while the Yoruba public awaits the next move in the royal standoff.