Ooni, Alaafin supremacy clash rekindled by old video

A viral old video of late Ooni Sijuwade reignites supremacy tussle with Alaafin as both palaces trade claims over Yoruba monarchy hierarchy

The long-standing supremacy tussle between the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo has resurfaced following the circulation of a viral old video featuring the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, asserting that his stool was superior to that of the Alaafin.

Also read: Alaafin, Ooni feud sparks fears of yoruba division

In the clip, which emerged online on Thursday, Oba Sijuwade insisted that the Ooni’s throne stood above Oyo’s and even claimed that the Oba of Benin ranked higher than the Alaafin.

He cited colonial records and a 1903 Federal Gazette as proof, stating that even colonial governors recognised the Ooni as the “owner of the crown” and custodian of Yoruba heritage.

The late monarch dismissed Reverend Samuel Johnson’s Yoruba history as biased, stressing that Governor Sir Hugh Clifford had described the work as “fake” during the 1924 visit of the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII.

Oba Sijuwade further narrated how colonial authorities appeased his grandfather, the then Ooni, with 1,000 cows and special privileges to mediate in Lagos chieftaincy disputes a gesture he said underscored the Ooni’s superiority.

The resurfaced video comes amid a fresh row between the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, over the Ooni’s recent conferment of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland title on businessman Dotun Sanusi.

The Alaafin condemned the move, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Ooni Ogunwusi to withdraw the title or face unspecified “consequences.”

On Thursday, Alaafin doubled down in a new statement through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, asserting his primacy.

He argued that Oyo’s imperial history, wealth from trade, and military strength made it the largest and most authoritative Yoruba empire.

“The British recognised lineage as supremacy, signing the Treaty of Cessation with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation,” the statement read.

Also read: Alaafin of Oyo slams Ooni of Ife over chieftaincy title row

Oba Owoade added that the Alaafin’s duty was to defend and uphold Yoruba tradition, stressing that he would not be drawn into a battle of egos but would always protect the heritage of Oyo.