By Akinwale Kasali
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, have brought an end to their two month rift in Lagos on Friday.
A meeting convened by Sir Kessington Adebutu, Billionaire business magnate popular as ‘Baba Ijebu’, held at the Eko Hotel on the sidelines of Adebutu’s 90th birthday celebration saw both revered Monarchs end their feud.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both Monarchs announced the formation of the Joint Council for Yoruba Unity — a platform aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socio-economic growth across Yoruba communities.
The communiqué was signed by the Ooni and Alaafin, witnessed by Adebutu, and issued by Kola Oyefeso, secretary of the communiqué drafting committee.
The meeting of the Monarchs was described as a turning point in Yoruba history.
“Today marks a defining chapter in our shared history,” the communiqué reads.
“We reaffirm our dedication to promoting harmony among all Yoruba sons and daughters, and upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood handed down by our ancestors.”
The gathering was attended by Traditional Rulers, cultural custodians, and prominent Yoruba leaders, who discussed reconciliation, cooperation, and inter-kingdom relations.
The Ooni and Alaafin jointly offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and progress across Yorubaland, Nigeria, and the African continent.
Adebutu expressed delight at the renewed royal bond, describing it as “a milestone that will consolidate peace, unity, and development among the Yoruba people”.
It would be recalled that the two respected Monarchs in Yorubaland had a heated argument over the conferment of the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” title on businessman Dotun Sanusi by the Ooni, which was opposed by the Alaafin.
Following the conferment, the Alaafin had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the Ooni revoke the title.
He described the development as an “affront” and claimed exclusive authority to bestow titles covering the whole of Yorubaland.
The Alaafin had argued that a supreme court ruling had affirmed his sole prerogative in such matters.
In response, the Ooni’s media team dismissed the ultimatum as an “empty threat,” saying the monarch would not dignify it with a formal response.
This generated mixed feelings among Nigerians, leading to superiority battle between the duo.
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