Ooni of Ife slams Oluwo of Iwo over claim that Ile-Ife is not the cradle of the Yoruba, dismissing the monarch’s controversial remarks

The Iwo monarch, known for his outspoken views, made the remarks in a Facebook video while conferring a chieftaincy title.

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Flanked by his chiefs, Oba Akanbi argued that the language spoken in Ile-Ife differs from mainstream Yoruba and insisted the town lacks authentic Yoruba culture.

“Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba race. Those people don’t speak our language. Their language is different. They refer to God as Eledumare, and there is nothing like Eledumare in the Yoruba language.

What we have is Olodumare,” he said. He further claimed: “I am the Arole Olodumare because I am here to tell you the true history.”

In a swift reaction, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the statement, describing it as unworthy of serious attention.

“No reasonable person will react to Oluwo’s comments,” he said, noting that the palace preferred to focus on issues capable of uniting the Yoruba rather than dividing them.

The exchange comes amid recurring disputes among Yoruba monarchs over history and authority.

Only last month, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, clashed with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, after conferring the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on an Ibadan businessman.

The Alaafin claimed exclusive rights to bestow titles covering the entire Yoruba nation and gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to revoke the title.

The Ooni’s camp rejected the ultimatum outright, stressing that such contests over history and titles should be left to the “court of public opinion.”

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Observers say the latest flare-up between Ife and Iwo further underscores the enduring sensitivities around Yoruba history, heritage, and the roles of traditional rulers in defining them.