Osun

Oluwo Vs Ataoja Feud Can Lead To Disunity In Yorubaland – Iwo Royal Families

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedSeptember 24, 2025

Princes from royal families in Iwo, Osun State have said the ongoing supremacy battle between Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over who occupies the fourth position in the hierarchy of monarchs in the state could lead to disunity in Yorubaland if not urgently addressed.

This was, as they said, the conflict could have been avoided if necessary conflict resolution mechanisms were in place.

It would be recalled that the Ataoja, during a lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th coronation anniversary, revisited the long-standing controversy by insisting that his stool historically occupies the fourth position in the Council—a status he alleged was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Matanmi III.

Oba Oyetunji narrated how the confusion began, stressing that he was not fighting any monarch but merely asserting the historical rights of his stool.

But Oluwo fired back through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, accusing Oba Oyetunji of attempting to distort history.

He urged Ataoja to seek accurate historical knowledge from respected elders of Osogbo rather than distort the hierarchy of Yoruba traditional stools.

Addressing newsmen in Iwo on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the royal families, Prince Adedoja Osunwo, urged the Osun State traditional council to embrace the need for an internal mechanism for conflict resolution.

Osunwo said, “If what is going on on social media regarding Oluwo and Ataoja is not curtailed, it will have a bad effect on the unity of the Yorubas. Yoruba unity is of greater importance, particularly at this time when a Yoruba is at the helm of affairs.

“The verbal attack we are witnessing today between the two monarchs is unnecessary if necessary internal mechanisms have been put in place for conflict resolution.

“The need for an internal mechanism for conflict resolution should be embraced by the Osun State traditional council under the leadership of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.”

Osunwo noted that the ongoing issue was occasioned by the distortion of historical facts, adding that Oluwo’s throne emanated from Ile-Ife and Oluwo has never been a community chief (Baale).

“We want to place it on record that the throne of Oluwo emanated from Ile-Ife and there is no contention about that. It has never been in history that Oluwo was ever a community chief ‘Baale’ and has such recognition, due to the throne of Oluwo, which should be given to whoever is occupying that throne.

“The ongoing issue was occasioned by the distortion of historical facts through logical thinking which we believe should be discouraged. Relying on folktales in order to justify the position being taken by any traditional ruler on issues should be discarded,” Osunwo added.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.