Alaafin Boast of British Colonial Recognition as Yoruba Head

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has stretched the debate over Yoruba traditional authority, declaring that the British once signed a treaty recognising him as the “Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”

The statement followed a rift between him and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, after the Ooni conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi, during an event at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan.

The Alaafin had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of the title. The Ooni has so far remained silent, even after the ultimatum lapsed on Wednesday.

In a fresh statement through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, the Alaafin insisted history was clear on his primacy.

“Oyo rose to prominence through trade and military power. It became the largest West African empire, the most important of all Yoruba principalities. The British recognised this supremacy and signed the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation,” the statement read.

The monarch added that he had sworn to his ancestors never to engage in needless supremacy battles. “Alaafin has sworn to his ancestors to defend and add glamour to Yoruba tradition; he would never be in a supremacy battle with any king.”

The palace described the Alaafin as custodian of Yoruba culture and defender of ancient traditions. “Kabiyesi. Iku Baba Yeye. Alashe. Ekeji Orisha. These are not mere titles but symbols of his sacred authority,” the statement noted.

Olugbon and Groups Call for Peace

However, uneased by the development, other traditional rulers in the region are speaking out for restraint.

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, appealed for calm, urging supporters to sheath their swords. He described the title controversy as “mere speculation” and warned against dragging the sacred thrones of both Alaafin and Ooni in the media.

“Ooni remains Ooni, Alaafin remains Alaafin. There is no supremacy battle. I urge Yoruba sons and daughters to remain calm,” Olugbon said.

In a related development, socio-cultural group Think Yoruba First (TYF) held a press briefing in Ibadan, warning against historical distortions that undermine Yoruba civilisation.

TYF’s Lead Legal Consultant, Mr Oluwatobi Sanwo, condemned claims in a new academic book alleging that non-Yoruba groups were the original inhabitants of Ile-Ife. He dismissed such theories as “cultural defamation, intellectual dishonesty, and potential ethnic provocation.”

“Ile-Ife remains the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilisation, recognised worldwide by scholars and authorities. Yoruba history is sacred, Ile-Ife is non-negotiable, and our identity is indivisible,” Sanwo declared.

TYF urged government agencies, universities, and cultural organisations to support Yoruba scholarship, defend intellectual truth, and preserve African indigenous knowledge systems.

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