Alaafin of Oyo Denies Supremacy Battle Amid Ooni of Ife Title Controversy

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Thursday clarified that he is not engaged in any supremacy battle with monarchs in Yorubaland or anywhere else in the world. The clarification comes in the wake of tensions between him and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, over the conferment of a Yoruba-wide title.

In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Alaafin reaffirmed his role as a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, stressing that his commitment to the welfare of his subjects remained paramount. The monarch emphasized that his reign has always been guided by humility, tradition, and the pursuit of his people’s prosperity.

The recent rift between the Alaafin and the Ooni erupted after the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Oodua on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of a new indigenous social media network, 2geda, in Ibadan last weekend. The Alaafin’s palace faulted the action, sparking a renewed debate about the hierarchy of authority in Yorubaland.

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Alaafin Reaffirms Cultural Leadership

In the statement, Durojaiye explained that the Alaafin had no need to prove supremacy over any king, drawing upon a quote attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, which suggests that true success is built on steady achievements rather than battles.

“Why Alaafin does not need to get into any battle for supremacy with any Oba, either in Yorubaland or anywhere in the universe,” the statement read in part. “He is a veritable custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition and has always taken into consideration the safety and welfare of his subjects and will never compromise the tradition, culture and development of his people for a pot of porridge.”

According to the palace, history has consistently favored the Alaafin’s prominence since his enthronement, and his authority has been recognized not only through tradition but also by historical and political events.

The statement highlighted the Alaafin’s dual nature of humility and royalty, referencing his revered titles: Kabiyesi (the unquestioned king), Iku Baba Yeye (the one who commands death), Alashe (he who wields authority), and Ekeji Orisha (second-in-command to the gods). These titles, the palace argued, underscored his divine mandate and his role as the earthly representative of deities such as Ifa and Sango.

Historical Roots of Authority in Yorubaland

The Alaafin’s palace traced his authority back to the founding of Oyo by Oranmiyan, grandson of Oduduwa, during a migration caused by a prolonged drought in Ile-Ife. The city of Oyo, the statement noted, rose to prominence through trade and military prowess, eventually becoming the largest West African empire and the most authoritative Yoruba principality.

“Oyo simply rose to prominence through wealth gained from trade and its military skills. It was the largest West African empire, the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities,” the statement noted.

The palace also recalled the colonial era, pointing out that the British administration recognized the Alaafin’s lineage as the legitimate symbol of Yoruba supremacy, choosing to sign the Treaty of Cession with him as the superior head of the Yoruba nation.

This recognition, according to the statement, reinforced the Alaafin’s place not only in cultural history but also in political authority.

The Alaafin’s Commitment to His People

The statement further emphasized the monarch’s concern for the welfare of his people, noting that his governance is judged by tangible results—security, prosperity, and cultural preservation.

“At the hallowed ground of the ancient Yoruba shrine, Alaafin Owoade made a covenant with illustrious Yoruba ancestors that he would defend, protect, and add glamour to the Yoruba norms and tradition,” Durojaiye wrote.

The palace argued that the Alaafin’s reign continues to nurture and protect Yoruba civilization, which has been transmitted across generations. Customs, religion, politics, and even economic life within Yorubaland, the statement added, are rooted in the cultural precepts preserved by the Oyo monarchy.

Preserving the Oduduwa Dynasty

At the heart of the Alaafin’s rule, the statement said, lies the preservation of the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and its paternal lineage. This adherence, it maintained, is a cornerstone of Yoruba governance and cultural continuity.

“The basic concept of government was monarchy with a rigid adherence to the monolithic Oduduwa dynasty and of the paternal line,” the statement concluded.

While tensions between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife remain a subject of debate among Yoruba elites and on social media, the Alaafin’s latest statement appears to downplay the notion of a direct supremacy clash. Instead, it seeks to reinforce his position as a cultural custodian whose legitimacy is grounded in tradition, history, and the welfare of his people.

As Yorubaland navigates the modern complexities of tradition and leadership, the Alaafin’s message suggests that his focus remains on continuity, unity, and the cultural dignity of the Yoruba people, rather than rivalry with fellow monarchs.