Akinleye’s comment followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Oba Owoade to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland, recently conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
The Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, Oba Omotooyosi Bayo M. Akinleye, has said that the authority of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, does not extend beyond Oyo land.
Akinleye’s comment followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Oba Owoade to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland, recently conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi, popularly known as Ilaji.
The monarch made this known through his X handle on Tuesday, stressing that traditional rulers’ authorities are confined to their respective domains.
He further emphasised the primacy of the Ooni of Ife in Yoruba tradition, saying that no child is older than the one who fathered them.
He added that all Yoruba monarchs are children of Oduduwa, and the Ooni sits on their father’s throne.
Akinleye said, "Alaafin authority ends on Oyo land. Owa Obokun authority ends on Ijesa land. Awujale authority ends on Ijebu land. Alake authority ends on Egba land.
"No child is older than who father them, we are all children of Oodua, and Ooni is sitting on our father’s Throne."
Reacting to the monarch’s comment on X, Baasigun (@thinkwisee1) questioned the Ooni of Ife’s action, noting that a Supreme Court ruling had affirmed the Alaafin’s exclusive authority in the matter.
“Supreme Court verdicts says otherwise. Only alaafin has such right, there’s legal verdict to Alaafin’s claim,” Bassigun said.
Oba Akinleye replied, asking, “Does Supreme Court of Nigeria give Oyo power to Lord over Ijesa? Base on what historical background?”
In reply to the monarch’s position, Gabriel (@Gabriel_Leye) wrote: “On matters like this. You should have shown some restraint. You are social media handler. This does not emanate from Kabiyesi himself.
“Being neutral at this point positions you well for the future. The issue can still be remedied.”
“Clarification must be done for the sake of the New Generation of Yorubas,” Oba Akinleye said in response to Gabriel's post.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that the Alaafin of Oyo had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, demanding the revocation of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland recently conferred on an Ibadan businessman, Sanusi.
In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an affront to his authority, insisting that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to confer titles covering the entire Yorubaland.
He accused the Ooni of exceeding his traditional jurisdiction and disregarding a Supreme Court judgment which, he said, affirmed the Alaafin’s sole prerogative in such matters.
He described the conferment of chieftaincy titles that concern Yorubaland as the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin.
The monarch described Ooni’s action as unlawful and derogatory, adding that it amounts to going against the authority of the Supreme Court.
The Alaafin further stressed that the Ooni’s instrument of office limits his traditional powers to Oranmiyan Local Government—now divided into Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South—therefore making the conferment null and void.
He warned that failure to revoke the title within the stipulated 48 hours would attract dire consequences, cautioning that his peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness.