By Alaafin Sparks Controversy After Installing Seyi Tinubu as ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ After Criticising Oon
A fresh round of controversy is trailing the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, after he conferred the chieftaincy title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ancient city of oyo.
This is just months after his palace publicly condemned the Ooni of Ife for attempting to confer the same title on an Ibadan politician, reaffirming his status as the sole conferer of Yoruba title.
Earlier this year, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, faced backlash when he planned to honour a political ally from Ibadan with the title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland.” The move drew a sharp rebuke from the Alaafin’s palace, which accused the Ooni of overstepping traditional boundaries and interfering with established royal jurisdictions. The pressure led to the Ooni rescinding the title and altering it to “Okanlomo Oodua.”
However, in a dramatic twist, the Alaafin has now gone ahead to confer the exact title, “Okanlomo of Yorubaland”—on Seyi Tinubu, sparking accusations of hypocrisy, double standards, and political bias.
Few days ago, Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady was installed as the ‘Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua’ by Ooni at a ceremony, marking 10th years anniversary on throne. Seyi’s Okanlomo title is coming just days after.
A social media user commented, “Traditionally we have lost it. angry grin grin grin grin grin
In all honesty, they don’t. A chieftaincy title should naturally be for a certain kingdom, town or village.
All these titles ending with “of Yorubaland” are void.
Give someone title for the town or village you are king over.”
Another commenter with username Emzedz said,
“Last one na yeye asiwaju.. nw this .. incompetent n useless pple”.
Insiders say the situation has reignited tensions between the two powerful Yoruba stools, with many observers warning that traditional leadership risks becoming a tool for political appeasement rather than cultural preservation.
Neither the Ooni nor his spokesperson has publicly reacted to the latest development, but sources suggest that many in Ife view the Alaafin’s action as a strategic slap, possibly intended to reclaim symbolic ground lost during earlier royal disputes.
