Foremost Yoruba traditionalist and cultural icon, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has cautioned against attempts to pitch traditional rulers in Yorubaland against one another, stressing that such actions threaten the unity and progress of the race.
Chief Elebuibon, the Araba Awo of Osogbo and an Ifa High Priest, made the call in an interview with Vanguard on Saturday at his residence in Osogbo, Osun State.
He was reacting to the ongoing rift between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the recent conferment of the Okanlomo Odua title on Ibadan-born businessman and philanthropist, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi (JDS), Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts.
According to the respected priest, the Ooni’s stool remains the spiritual and cultural root of all thrones across Yorubaland, and as such, the relationship between the Ooni and other monarchs should be regarded as that of a father and child.
His said, “Ile-Ife is the source of Yoruba race and the Ooni’s throne gave birth to every other throne in Yorubaland. So the issue of battle of supremacy with the Ooni ought not to have arisen for whatsoever reason. The relationship between Ooni and any other traditional ruler in Yorubaland or of Yoruba race is that of a father to child and no child would disrespect his father.”
Chief Elebuibon further appealed to Yoruba sons and daughters to desist from fueling discord among royal fathers. He equally urged both mainstream and social media platforms to stop amplifying disputes and instead promote unity within Yorubaland.
Meanwhile, a Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, The Oduduwa Descendants Worldwide, has thrown its weight behind the Ooni, affirming that only he holds the authority to bestow the Okanlomo Odua title, as the recognized Arole Odua.
The group’s spokesman, Prince Segun Alade, told Vanguard, “The lineage of Oduduwa is clear; only the Ooni can designate the Okanlomo Odua, and any claim otherwise is a distortion of our heritage.”
He added, “Our traditions are rooted in respect and recognition of rightful authority, which reside solely with the Ooni of Ife, a revered figure in our cultural heritage. The Okanlomo title is not just a title; it embodies the spirit and unity of the Yoruba people, cutting across all Yoruba descendants in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Cuba, Brazil, America, the UK, and even in Caribbean countries.”
It would be recalled that the Alaafin, on Monday, had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni, demanding the withdrawal of the Okanlomo title bestowed on Chief Sanusi.
He argued that only the Alaafin has the authority to confer such a title across Yorubaland, citing a Supreme Court judgment as backing for his position.
However, the Ooni ignored the directive, with his spokesman, Moses Olafare, dismissing the threat as an “empty threat.”