The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has appealed for peace between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, following a heated disagreement over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ibadan-based business mogul, Dotun Sanusi by the former.
Recall that Ooni had on Saturday, August 16, bestowed the Okanlomo of Oodua title on Sanusi during the unveiling of 2geda, a social media and business networking platform, at Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Akanran, Ibadan.
However, the conferment sparked controversy after the Alaafin of Oyo issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the Ooni reverse the title misconstrued as ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ or face consequences.
Reacting to the ultimatum, Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, said the monarch would not be drawn into threats, insisting the matter had been left “in the court of public opinion.”
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Aare Adams urged both traditional rulers to sheath their swords, warning that disunity among Yoruba monarchs could embolden external threats.
“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,” Adams said.
Describing the monarchs as custodians of Yoruba heritage, Adams stressed that their unity was crucial to the stability of the region.
“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.”
Adams further linked the matter to the region’s security challenges, saying Yoruba unity must be preserved.
“Yorubaland 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.”
The Yorubaland Generalissimo reiterated his call for peace, saying the stability of Yorubaland depended on the unity of its foremost traditional rulers.
