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Alaafin vs Ooni: Monarchs under spell, say traditionalists

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The Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, Osun State, has said the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, may be under a spell due to repeated clashes between them.

The President of the group, Oluseyi Atanda, said members of the association needed to perform rituals to settle the disputes between the two frontline Yoruba monarchs.

This is as a popular poet and Ifa priest, Ifayemi Elebuibon, said traditionalists had been offering sacrifices for peace to reign in Yorubaland.

The hostilities between the traditional rulers were reopened on Monday after the Alaafin faulted Ooni’s decision to confer the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on a businessman, Dotun Sanusi.

Oba Ogunwusi bestowed the title on him during the unveiling of 2geda, an indigenous social media and business networking platform, at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 16.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the title or “face the consequences,” arguing that no traditional ruler other than him had the authority to confer a title covering the entire Yorubaland.

However, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said Oba Ogunwusi had directed him to ignore the Alaafin’s outburst and leave the matter “in the court of public opinion.”

Commenting on the matter in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Atanda expressed concern over the outbursts of the two monarchs, warning that their aides should be cautious.

The gynaecologist said it was unfortunate that the monarchs, who identified with the traditional religion, found themselves in such a needless quarrel.

Atanda said, “The two monarchs are traditionalists. We are from the same father. What could have caused the fight? May we not be under spell in Yorubaland. What is happening could be a spell from some people who don’t want the Yoruba race to unite.

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“What is happening can turn into a serious crisis; before you know it, some Yoruba monarchs will be queuing behind Alaafin and others will align with Ooni, and there will be a crisis.”

Asked if he meant that Alaafin and Ooni were under a spell, Atanda said, “It can be a spell. What is the reason for the quarrel? Both kings are wealthy, influential and exposed.”

Similarly, Elebuibon described the renewed feud between Ooni and Alaafin as needless, saying they should be concerned about the development of Yorubaland, not a supremacy battle.

He said it was embarrassing that the two monarchs, who were representing the Yoruba race across the world, were entangled in a supremacy battle.

The Araba of Osogbo said, “We are trying to resolve a matter, but somebody is frustrating the efforts (a n je ekuru k’tan, enikan tun gbonwo re s’awo). I wasn’t expecting what is happening. The two monarchs are cool-headed; they are frontline Yoruba monarchs representing the race across the world. If the two of them are exchanging words, it is a disgrace to every Yoruba.

“What should be paramount to them should be the development of the Yoruba race, not a supremacy battle. What are we going to gain from a supremacy battle? Some people are fanning the ember of discord, but the two monarchs should be above board. Criminals from other races are killing our people and trying to occupy our land, yet what we have is a supremacy battle from our monarchs. That shouldn’t be. God will settle everything. We are praying and offering sacrifices.”

No fresh legal process

Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that the Alaafin was not considering a fresh legal process against the Ooni.

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It was learnt that Oba Owoade had vowed to release the Supreme Court judgment that purportedly affirmed his exclusive rights to confer chieftaincy titles covering the entire Yorubaland.

Findings revealed that Monday’s outbursts marked the second clash between the Alaafin and the Ooni this year.

The two prominent monarchs had earlier clashed in March over the control of Oyotunji African Village in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States, following the killing of the village leader, Adejuyigbe Adefunmi.

Ooni had sent a team of monarchs to Oyotunji to perform traditional rites after Adefunmi’s murder.

However, Oba Owoade, who was in seclusion at the time, allegedly called one of the traditional rulers sent to the village and demanded that they vacate the community, claiming it was Oyo’s territory.

The Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Friday, declined to comment on the next step the Alaafin would take after the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum he gave to the Ooni.

The ultimatum elapsed on Wednesday.

Asked if Oba Owoade would sue the Ooni for refusing to revoke the chieftaincy title, the spokesperson said, “I am under instruction not to talk to anyone on this matter again. I can only tell you that prominent Yoruba leaders both within and outside the country have intervened. That it is.”

When asked about the content of the Supreme Court judgment he referred to in his earlier statement, the Alaafin’s spokesperson said, “You will read it by yourself when we release it. Just be patient.”

An insider in the palace told our correspondent that Oba Owoade would not resort to a legal process to force Ooni to revoke the title or assert his supremacy.

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The palace source said, “It has not got to that. There is an existing Supreme Court ruling, so instituting another legal process may not be necessary. It is not a fresh issue. It is recurring.

“There are many Yoruba elders who have been calling Kabiesi every day on the matter. The call is too much; appealing that we should allow Yoruba elders to wade in.

“However, the matter is not over. We are going to review and reveal our next step on the matter,” he said.

Another credible source at the palace told our correspondent that the Alaafin had warned his aides against inciting or divisive comments on the matter, and that efforts were on to reconcile the two prominent rulers.

“I can confirm that our elders have intervened and they are making moves to settle the matter at both ends. Talking to the press may jeopardise their efforts,” he stated.

Some insiders in Ooni’s palace, who disclosed that Oba Ogunwusi was at peace and was not ready to take on anybody on the matter.

“They were the ones who issued an ultimatum and they are the ones that know the consequences they want to unleash. They should be asked what their next action will be.

“Honestly, we (Ooni’s palace) don’t want to join issue with anybody on this matter. They have issued a threat and they should tell us what to expect. They are not even remorseful about it. We have left the matter in public opinion. The people should judge.”

The Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, declined to comment on the matter.

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PHOTOS: A Biafran Armoured Vehicle at the National War Museum, Umuahia: Ingenuity in a Time of Siege

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December 21, 2025

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Displayed at the National War Museum in Umuahia, Abia State, this armoured vehicle stands as a striking material reminder of the technological improvisation that characterised the Biafran side during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). The vehicle is commonly identified as an up-armoured T16 Universal Carrier, adapted and deployed by Biafran forces in the face of severe resource constraints.

The Nigerian Civil War in Context

The Nigerian Civil War, often called the Biafran War, erupted in July 1967 following the secession of the Eastern Region of Nigeria as the Republic of Biafra under the leadership of Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The conflict was rooted in a complex mix of political instability, ethnic tensions, economic disputes, and the fallout from the 1966 military coups.
The federal government imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on Biafra, drastically limiting access to weapons, fuel, spare parts, and food. This blockade forced Biafran engineers, mechanics, and technicians to rely heavily on local innovation and adaptation to sustain their war effort.

The Up-Armoured Universal Carrier

The vehicle shown in the museum is believed to be based on the T16 Universal Carrier, a light tracked armoured vehicle originally designed during the Second World War. Universal Carriers were widely used by Allied forces and were present in Nigeria during the colonial era.
During the war, Biafran forces modified available carriers by:

Reinforcing them with improvised armour plating

Adapting engines and mechanical components using locally available materials

Reconfiguring them for reconnaissance, troop movement, or limited combat roles

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Although such vehicles could not match the firepower or durability of modern armoured tanks, they represented a pragmatic response to isolation, allowing Biafra to maintain some level of mechanised capability.

Ingenuity Under Pressure

The armoured carrier exemplifies what many historians describe as Biafran wartime ingenuity. Alongside makeshift armoured vehicles, Biafra also produced:

Locally assembled rockets and mortars (such as the Ogbunigwe)

Modified civilian vehicles for military use

Small-scale refineries and workshops to support logistics

These efforts were driven by necessity rather than abundance, highlighting the role of technical skill and improvisation in asymmetric warfare.

Human Cost and Global Attention

The war resulted in devastating human losses. Scholarly estimates suggest around 100,000 military deaths, while civilian deaths range from approximately 500,000 to over 2 million, largely due to famine and disease exacerbated by the blockade. These figures vary widely among historians and humanitarian organisations, reflecting the difficulty of precise wartime accounting.
Notably, the Nigerian Civil War was among the first conflicts to receive extensive global television coverage. Images of starving Biafran children broadcast internationally shaped global humanitarian awareness and influenced the development of modern relief organisations.

Preservation and Historical Memory

Today, the presence of this armoured vehicle at the National War Museum, Umuahia serves an educational purpose rather than a celebratory one. It invites reflection on:

The realities of civil conflict

The limits and possibilities of local technological innovation

The enduring human and social consequences of war

As an artefact, it underscores how material culture can help future generations understand both the creativity and tragedy that emerge under extreme historical conditions.

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Sources

National War Museum, Umuahia (museum displays and archival descriptions)

Nigerianland, Nigeria History Makers – Pictures

Falola, T. & Heaton, M., A History of Nigeria (Cambridge University Press)

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A Woman of Elegance, Resilience, and Impact: Alhaja Simbiat Atinuke Abiola

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December 21, 2025

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This seldom-seen image from 1991 gently captures the serene presence of Alhaja Simbiat Atinuke Abiola (née Shoaga), pictured alongside her daughter, Wuraola Abiola, at her husband’s birthday celebration in Lagos—just a year before her passing. A prominent member of the renowned Abiola lineage, her life was rooted in service and generosity.

Alhaja Simbiat was not only the cherished spouse of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, she was also a formidable figure in her own right. In the early 1980s, she shattered glass ceilings by launching and directing Wonder Bakery, an innovative enterprise that provided employment to over 140 Nigerians—at a time when female business leaders were a rarity in the country.

Yet, her brilliance extended well beyond commerce.

In 1992, while waging a brave battle against cancer in a hospital in the United Kingdom, Alhaja Simbiat watched the heart-wrenching news of the Cairo (Dahshur) earthquake. Touched by the plight of the children affected, she selflessly donated $100,000 to support the reconstruction of a school that had been reduced to rubble. Even as her health declined, her compassion remained boundless—reaching across nations and touching lives.

That same year, Nigeria mourned the loss of a quiet luminary. Alhaja Simbiat passed away at age 51 in a British hospital, leaving behind a legacy defined by kindness, tenacity, and quiet leadership.

She was far more than a devoted wife and loving mother—she stood as a beacon of humanity, vision, and unwavering dignity.

May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

Source: historylovers

Photo: theelitesng

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VIDEO: Seyi Tinubu arrives Alaafin’s palace for installation as ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’

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10 hours ago

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December 21, 2025

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The city of Oyo is currently witnessing an influx of political figures and traditional rulers for the installation of new high-ranking chiefs by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.

Seyi Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Layal, arrived at the palace of the Alaafin on Sunday.

 

Alaafin confers chieftancy titles on Seyi Tinubu. Credit: X|adejare_stephen


Alaafin confers chieftancy titles on Seyi Tinubu. Credit: X|adejare_stephen

PUNCH reports that Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, will be installed as the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland,” a title which translates to “the beloved child” or “the one dear to the hearts of all Yoruba people.”

The title is said to symbolise a custodian of Yoruba values, unity, and cultural heritage.

The Senator representing Zamfara West and a former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has also reportedly arrived in Oyo, accompanied by a delegation of northern senators and political figures.


Alaafin confers chieftancy titles on Seyi Tinubu, Senator Yari. Credit: X|adejare_stephen

Yari will also be installed as the “Obaloyin of Yorubaland” on the same occasion by the Alaafin.

The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, in a recent statement, reportedly stated that the ‘Obaloyin of Yorubaland’ title represents love, compassion, justice, and a bridge between physical and spiritual realms.

Both titles are said to come with responsibilities that include promoting Yoruba culture, advising the Alaafin, fostering unity, and advancing education and social welfare.


Alaafin confers chieftancy titles on Seyi Tinubu, Senator Yari. Credit: X|adejare_stephen

Videos circulating on social media reveal that the venue of the event is set, capturing the presence of several notable figures, including former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, lawmakers, and a diverse assembly of traditional rulers and chiefs.

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Watch videos below:

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Credits: PUNCHNG

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