The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has reignited the controversy over traditional leadership in Yorubaland, declaring himself the number one monarch in the region.
The monarch made the assertion during an interview on State Affairs, hosted by broadcaster Edmund Obilo on November 4, amid lingering questions over the traditional hierarchy between his throne and that of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
“I am the supreme king in Yorubaland and the number one king in Yorubaland,” Owoade declared during the interview.
His latest comment is likely to reopen the debate over the status of the two historic Yoruba institutions, which have repeatedly been at the centre of disagreements over traditional authority and cultural leadership.
The Alaafin’s claim is largely rooted in the historical influence of the old Oyo Empire, whose political and military power extended across several Yoruba territories and neighbouring communities. The Ooni, however, occupies the revered throne of Ile-Ife, traditionally regarded as the ancestral home of the Yoruba.
The dispute became particularly pronounced in August 2025 when the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin opposed the move, insisting that no other monarch had the authority to confer a title bearing the name of the entire Yoruba region. He subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding its withdrawal.
The disagreement later eased following a meeting between the two monarchs in Lagos in October 2025, facilitated by businessman and philanthropist, Sir Kessington Adebutu, during his 90th birthday celebration. They pledged to promote unity and established the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity to advance cultural preservation and development.
However, subsequent disagreements involving traditional institutions have continued to generate public debate, including tensions surrounding the Alaafin’s relationship with other prominent monarchs and a dispute with the Oyo State Government over the elevation of some traditional chiefs.
The Alaafin’s renewed declaration is expected to revive discussions over the historical standing of the Oyo and Ife thrones, particularly the question of who occupies the foremost position among Yoruba traditional rulers.
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