‘Empty threat’: Ooni taunts Alaafin over ultimatum, describes monarch as comedian

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has lashed out at the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, over the directive to revoke the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland conferred on businessman, Dotun Sanusi, fondly called Ilaji.

Alaafin had, on Monday, August 18, 2025, demanded the revocation of the chieftaincy title within 48 hours, warning that failure to comply would attract consequences.

Reacting on Tuesday, Ooni described the 48-hour ultimatum given to him by Alaafin as an “empty threat”.

Speaking through his spokesman, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch also described Oba Owoade as a comedian.

Olafare, in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, said Ooni had directed him not to speak about what he described as “an empty threat”.

Alaafin dares Ooni: Revoke chieftaincy title on Sanusi or face consequences

Olafare stressed that his principal directed him not to issue a statement on Alaafin’s threat to revoke the chieftaincy title, describing Oba Owoade as “Alawada Babasala”.

Babasala is a late popular Yoruba comedian.

He wrote: “My Principal has directed me against issuing a Press Release on the Empty Threat of the Alawada Babasala.

“I beg to disappoint you, gentlemen of the press

“We cannot dignify the undignifyable with an official response. We leave the matter to be handled in the public court of opinion has it is already being treated.

“Let’s rather focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us.

“No Press Release pls🙏🏻 48 Hours My Foot!!!”

The Star