Prominent Yoruba elders and leaders on Tuesday called for restraint and intervention of cultural and political figures following the reopening of hostilities between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
The fresh row began on Monday after the Alaafin faulted the Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on a businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi.
The Ooni had bestowed the title on Sanusi during the unveiling of 2geda, an indigenous social media and business networking platform, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, over the weekend.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin declared that no traditional ruler other than him has the authority to confer a title covering the entire Yorubaland. He issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the title or “face the consequences.”
But reacting, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said the monarch had directed him to ignore the Alaafin’s outburst and leave the matter “in the court of public opinion.”
“We can not dignify the ‘undignifyable’ with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion, as it is already being treated.
“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. No press release, please. 48 hours my foot!” he wrote.
Monday’s exchange was the latest in a series of public disagreements between the two foremost monarchs.
In May, a clip from an event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu showed the Alaafin remaining seated while other monarchs stood to greet the Ooni.
Another viral video in June depicted both monarchs shunning greetings at the West African Economic Summit in Abuja.
Though both palaces denied any rift, the repeated public spats have deepened concerns.
Speaking on the latest rift, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Tuesday, said he had reached out to Yoruba leaders to mediate in the crisis.
He said the intervention of cultural and political leaders alike is being sought to quell the lingering crisis.
Recalling history, Adams said he would also intervene to avert the opening of old wounds in the interest of unity in Yoruba land.
