The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has said that British colonial authorities recognised the Alaafin as the only supreme king of the Yoruba people.

This comes amid ongoing tension between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, following the Ooni’s conferment of the title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the launch of the 2geda media networking platform at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, over the weekend.

In a statement issued through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, on Monday, the Alaafin gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to withdraw the title or face “the consequences.”

The deadline expired on Wednesday without any response from the Ooni’s palace.

Addressing the controversy on Thursday, the Alaafin dismissed suggestions of rivalry, insisting that history had long established Oyo’s place in Yoruba leadership.

“Oyo rose to prominence through wealth from trade and military prowess. It became the largest West African empire, the most authoritative of all early Yoruba principalities,” he stated. “As was their tradition, the British recognised lineage as meaningful supremacy and legitimacy, preferring to sign the Treaty of Cession with the Alaafin as the Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”

He added that his covenant with his ancestors was to protect and promote Yoruba tradition, not to engage in supremacy battles.

Quoting Alexander Graham Bell, the Alaafin said: “The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.”

According to him, the British recognition was not symbolic but a reflection of Oyo’s historic role as the political and cultural centre of the Yoruba.

“The Alaafin operates a government judged by results, as prosperity, security and the welfare of the people dictate his popularity in the palace and across the empire,” the statement added.

He stressed that his throne would not be dragged into “modern supremacy battles,” describing such disputes as needless distractions.

Instead, he said the focus remains on safeguarding the sanctity of Yoruba culture and governance rooted in the Oduduwa dynasty.

This latest statement follows widespread reactions to the Alaafin’s earlier ultimatum, with some traditional councils and groups urging him to withdraw it in the interest of unity among Yoruba monarchs.