The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called for peace between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, following a disagreement over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on an Ibadan-based business mogul, Dotun Sanusi.
The Ooni had bestowed the title of Okanlomo of Oodua upon Sanusi during the unveiling of a social media and business networking platform, named 2geda. The event was held on Saturday, 16 August, at the Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort in Akanran, Ibadan.
However, the move prompted a strong reaction, with the Alaafin issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to reverse the title or face consequences.
In response, the Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, said the monarch would not be drawn into threats, stressing that the matter had been left “in the court of public opinion.”
Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, Adams urged both traditional rulers to seek an amicable resolution. He warned that disunity amongst Yoruba monarchs could embolden external forces.
“I have reached out to some Yoruba elders on the matter. The aim is to rally them to intervene in the growing tension between the two Imperial Majesties, the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo.
“The two monarchs are our pride in Yorubaland and indeed in Africa. We cannot afford to have disunity between them.
“So, I have reached out to the two revered monarchs in Africa and palaces, that the issue should be resolved amicably, and we should sustain peace in Yorubaland.
“Yoruba land is undergoing some pockets of insecurity now. The two prominent monarchs have roles to play in all these, and we cannot afford to allow external enemies to infiltrate us. If there is no crack in the wall, the lizard cannot penetrate it.”
Adams described the Ooni and the Alaafin as custodians of Yoruba heritage and called for sustained peace to protect the region’s unity and stability.