The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has declared himself the foremost monarch in Yorubaland, saying he is not fighting for supremacy but rather citing historical precedent.
Speaking to Edmund Obilo on State Affairs, the king said, “Historically, yes. If you want to go by history and the contribution of Oyo to Yoruba civilisation, then I would say that the Alaafin is number one.” The statement was made in the context of ongoing debates over the hierarchy of Yoruba traditional rulers.
In 2025, the Alaafin clashed with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, after the Ooni awarded the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland to businessman Dotun Sanusi from Ibadan. The Alaafin demanded that the title be withdrawn within 48 hours, arguing that the Ooni does not possess the authority to confer a title that covers the entire Yorubaland.
Oyo’s historical role as a centre of Yoruba civilisation is often cited by the Alaafin as evidence of his primacy. The Oyo Empire was a powerful state that shaped political, cultural and economic life across the region for centuries.
While the Ooni of Ife is also a highly respected figure in Yoruba tradition, the current dispute highlights the continuing contestation over the status of traditional titles and the authority of individual monarchs within the broader Yoruba community.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
