Prominent Yoruba elders and leaders have stepped in to mediate the rift between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
The dispute began when the Alaafin gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi.
However, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, responded by saying the monarch had directed him to ignore the Alaafin’s outburst and leave the matter “in the court of public opinion.” Olafare wrote, “We cannot dignify the ‘undignifiable’ with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion, as it is already being treated. Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us. No press release, please. 48 hours my foot!”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, spoke on the latest rift while addressing newsmen, saying he had contacted Yoruba leaders to mediate in the crisis.
Adams explained that the intervention of cultural and political leaders is being sought to quell the lingering crisis. Recalling history, Adams said he would also intervene to avert the opening of old wounds in the interest of unity in Yoruba land.
“It is an issue between two fathers. I have been calling Yoruba leaders to look for a way to resolve it. We don’t want the unity of the Yoruba land to be tampered with now,” Adams said.
He added, “I will be in touch with the two fathers. I will talk to them, but I have talked to some of the Yoruba leaders that we should weigh in on the issue.”
Adams expressed his close relationship with both monarchs, saying, “Before I became Aare Onakakanfo, I had been very, very close to the palace of Ooni. At the same time, I was very close to the late Alaafin. So I see them as two fathers. Anything that happens between your two fathers, you must look for a way to resolve it amicably. We don’t want to open our old wounds in public.”
Acknowledging the resolution of the crisis is long overdue, Iba Adams said it was expedient for the leaders to intervene to ensure that all issues between the Obas are amicably resolved.
Rallying the need for intervention from all relevant Yoruba leaders, Adams expressed optimism that the impasse between the two monarchs would be resolved soon.
“It’s an issue that will be resolved by the Yoruba leaders soon. Our political figures have a role to play, too,” Adams said.
He added, “Apart from the individual leaders in social culture, our political leaders have a role to play, and our real fathers have a role to play. We know that the issue has been lingering for a long time. But in the long run, I believe it will be resolved soon.”