Ooni remains supreme leader of Yoruba traditional rulers — Olojudo

The Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Olayinka Oyetunde Ishola Jokotola, has declared that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, remains the undisputed leader of traditional rulers across Yorubaland.

Speaking on Sunday at the 2026 Osun Olojudo Festival in Ido-Osun, Oba Jokotola dismissed reports of a split within the traditional institution as false and sponsored.

In a statement made available to our reporter in Osogbo, he said, “I don’t believe there is any crisis among traditional rulers. We all recognise the Ooni of Ife as our traditional leader across Yorubaland,” he said.

“Most of the stories about division are created by social media users who are trying to set a different agenda and create unnecessary narratives.”

The monarch insisted that historically, culturally and traditionally, the Ooni is the supreme leader of the Yoruba traditional institution.

“Historically, culturally and traditionally, Ooni is the supreme leader of the Yoruba traditional institution. He’s the number one custodian of culture and traditions in Yorubaland. Any other narration is just a fallacy that can’t stand anytime,” he stated.

Oba Jokotola also clarified that there is only one recognised council of Obas in Osun State, and not senatorial councils as being speculated.

“My kingdom is in Osun West. I can tell you that there’s nothing like Osun West Traditional Council. Yes, there exist regional groups which are only for administrative purposes and not a council,” he explained.

“So, for emphasis, there’s no other council except the one being led by our revered father, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council.”

It will be recalled that a traditional council was recently formed by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, a development that has generated reactions across the state.

Some traditional rulers have since dissociated themselves from the move, insisting there can be no split of the traditional council in Osun State.