By Babs-Oluribigbe Adeoye
The Yoruba nation, with its proud history, enviable culture, and sophisticated traditional institutions, is once again being shaken by the simmering rivalry between two of its foremost monarchs: the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. What should ordinarily serve as a source of unity and cultural strength is gradually degenerating into a battle of egos that embarrasses the Yoruba people and threatens to erode the dignity of the royal stool.
This rivalry, though rooted in ancient historical claims, became pronounced in modern times during the reigns of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. Both monarchs were larger-than-life figures whose reigns symbolised prestige and power. However, they frequently locked horns over supremacy, titles, and the leadership of the Yoruba race. Their feud was so fierce that it sometimes spilled into public space, drawing criticisms and concern from Yoruba leaders and scholars.
Now, with the passing of both monarchs, one would have hoped the acrimony would die with them. But recent developments suggest otherwise. The current Alaafin, Oba Owoade Ayoade, has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to reverse the chieftaincy title bestowed upon a prominent businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi, as the “Okanlomo of Yoruba land.” The Alaafin insists the title is inappropriate and beyond Ooni’s jurisdiction, thereby reviving the old contest of influence and supremacy.
Such an open clash does more than bruise egos, it sets a dangerous precedent. The Yoruba nation cannot afford to watch its revered monarchs drag themselves into the mud of petty rivalry at a time when their voices are most needed to unite their people in the face of political, economic, and social challenges.
This is not the first time royal titles have sparked controversy. In 2009, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi openly protested the installation of certain Yoruba-wide titles by Ooni Sijuwade, claiming that Ife had no monopoly over Yoruba chieftaincy matters. Likewise, in 2018, tension rose when the Alaafin and Olubadan boycotted an event convened by Ooni Ogunwusi, raising eyebrows over the fragile peace among Yoruba monarchs.
On many occasions, respected Yoruba leaders such as Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and the late Chief Richard Akinjide warned that disunity among Yoruba obas would diminish the influence of the Yoruba people nationally. Unfortunately, these warnings seem to have gone unheeded.
It must be said that both thrones are guilty of inflaming rivalry rather than building consensus. The Ooni, as the spiritual custodian of the Yoruba people, must exercise restraint in conferring pan-Yoruba titles that can easily be misconstrued as political maneuvers. Equally, the Alaafin should avoid public ultimatums that portray Yoruba traditional leadership as divided and quarrelsome. Both palaces must recognise that their actions go beyond their immediate domains, they should rather note that same reflects on the entire Yoruba nation.
What makes the situation even more delicate is the relatively young age of both monarchs. This youthfulness, instead of fueling rivalry, should inspire them to cooperate, think with wisdom beyond their years, and act as true fathers to the Yoruba nation. They have time and energy on their side, and this should be invested in preserving unity, not in deepening division.
Yoruba leaders, scholars, and elder statesmen must urgently intervene to mediate between both monarchs. Silence is complicity. A cultural summit should also be convened to clearly define the roles and limits of each royal stool to avoid overlapping authority. More importantly, Yoruba monarchs must embrace collective leadership through the Council of Obas, ensuring that no single monarch assumes unilateral powers over Yoruba-wide affairs.
The rivalry between Ooni and Alaafin is not a private quarrel, it is a matter of Yoruba identity, unity, and dignity. If unchecked, it risks dividing the Yoruba race, weakening its voice in national discourse, and damaging centuries of cultural heritage. The time has come for Yoruba elders and other traditional rulers to step in and ensure that this unhealthy contest ends before it consumes the very fabric of Yoruba unity.
The Yoruba people deserve leaders who inspire unity, not rivalry; vision, not division. The Ooni and the Alaafin, as custodians of heritage, must rise above ego and personal pride to preserve what truly matters: the future of the Yoruba nation.
Mr. Adeoye is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of WesternLifeNewsNG and Westlifemag
