A recent statement by revered Nigerian businessman and traditional title holder Sir Kessington Adebutu has shed light on his timely and crucial intervention in the high-profile disagreement between two of Yorubalands most paramount traditional rulers the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Abimbola Owoade .

The billionaire who holds the prestigious traditional title of the Odole-Oodua revealed his involvement by stating Let Me Share SomethingI Was In England When Misunderstanding Between Alaafin Ooni Started – Kessington Adebutu This remark made during a recent reflection underscores his significant role as a statesman dedicated to preserving peace and unity within the Yoruba nation .

The Genesis of the Royal Rift
The latest flare-up of the long-standing historical rivalry between the thrones of Ile-Ife and Oyo was triggered by a dispute over the conferment of a chieftaincy title Specifically the Ooni of Ife Oba Ogunwusi had bestowed the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan-based businessman Mr Dotun Sanusi .

This action was immediately and fiercely challenged by the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Owoade The Alaafin through his media aide issued a sharp critique demanding that the Ooni revoke the title within 48 hours or face unspecified consequences Oba Owoade argued that the Ooni had overstepped his bounds asserting that the Alaafin holds the exclusive traditional right to confer titles that span the entire Yorubaland His palace even cited a Supreme Court ruling to support this claim and stressed that the Oonis jurisdictional authority was limited to his immediate local government area .

The Oonis palace however chose not to escalate the exchange with a spokesman dismissing the ultimatum as an empty threat and stating a preference to focus on narratives that unite us rather than the ones capable of dividing us This public confrontation rooted in the age-old debate over supremacy and jurisdictional authority between the two ancient kingdoms created palpable tension and concern across Yorubaland .

Adebutus Role as Peacemaker
Sir Kessington Adebutus anecdote—that he was in England when the dispute erupted—highlights how quickly the news of the rift traveled and the widespread concern it generated even among prominent figures in the diaspora Recognising the gravity of the situation and the potential for the feud to sow disunity Adebutu leveraged his immense influence and position as a respected elder and high-ranking traditional chief to mediate .

In a move demonstrating extraordinary diplomatic prowess Adebutu revealed that he contacted both monarchs—the Alaafin and the Ooni—and asked them to stop Crucially both paramount rulers were gracious enough to honour his invitation by attending a ceremony he hosted in Lagos Adebutu used this occasion to meet with them directly opening a crucial channel for dialogue and reconciliation .

This intervention proved successful culminating in a historic meeting on Friday October 24 2025 at the Eko Hotel Signature Building in Lagos during Adebutus own birthday anniversary .

The Historic Call for Unity
The meeting convened by the Odole-Oodua resulted in the two monarchs reaffirming their commitment to unity and peace throughout Yorubaland A communique released after the meeting emphasised their shared commitment to peace mutual respect and the advancement of the Yoruba people .

Furthermore the Ooni and Alaafin announced the creation of a Joint Council of Yoruba Unity a body explicitly tasked with focusing on peacebuilding cultural preservation and socioeconomic development across the region This collaborative commitment marks a significant milestone shifting the focus from historical rivalry to collective progress Sir Adebutu expressed profound joy at the outcome describing the unity witnessed as a defining moment that would foster peace and progress .

The successful mediation by Sir Adebutu serves as a powerful reminder of the influence and responsibility of Yoruba elders and statesmen in upholding traditional decorum and ensuring that cultural disputes do not undermine the cohesion of the Yoruba nation By stepping into the breach Adebutu helped steer the narrative away from confrontation and towards a unified vision for the future preserving the dignity of both the sacred Ile-Ife and the historical Oyo empires .
By Rashid Rashid
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