Renowned Ifa priest and cultural authority, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has stepped into the growing controversy between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, appealing for peace and unity among the two foremost traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
In an interview with cultural promoter Bamidele Adeyanju, popularly known as Agbaletu, Elebuibon drew from Yoruba history and Ifa divination to underscore the deep-rooted ties between Ile-Ife and Oyo. He warned against unnecessary disputes over seniority, stressing that their responsibilities should focus on peace and development rather than supremacy battles.
“If they can give room to peace, all these should not be happening,” he said. “Oranmiyan, who established Oyo, came from Ile-Ife. There is no way you can tell the history of Oyo without tracing it to Ife, and there is no way you can tell the history of Ife without mentioning Oyo.”
Taking a direct swipe at the Alaafin’s recent challenge, Elebuibon cautioned that it was unbecoming for a newly crowned monarch to stir conflict rather than pursue harmony. “Someone became a king not up to a year, not up to six months — is it trouble he ought to be causing? All that should matter to them is how there will be peace everywhere and not seniority fights,” he added.
Reinforcing his position through Yoruba oral tradition, Elebuibon chanted in Ifa language, explaining that Ile-Ife occupies an unrivalled place as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation. According to him, “Ife is the Olú (supreme ruler); no other Olú can equate the Ooni. Just as no animal can compare in size with the elephant, no throne can rival that of Ife.”
His remarks come amid escalating tensions following the Alaafin’s objection to the Ooni’s conferment of the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman, Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin, who only recently ascended the throne, argued that such a pan-Yoruba honour was his exclusive prerogative. He subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the Ooni withdraw the title or face consequences.
In a swift dismissal, the Ooni’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, described the ultimatum as “empty” and unworthy of response. According to him, the Ooni would not dignify the Alaafin’s statement but would rather allow the public to judge the matter.
With Elebuibon’s intervention, cultural watchers say the revered Ifa priest has provided much-needed context to the centuries-old debate on traditional supremacy in Yorubaland. While his message reaffirms Ife’s historical primacy, it also calls for restraint, reconciliation, and respect among the custodians of Yoruba heritage.
