A supremacy battle is threatening to unsettle the Osun State Council of Obas, as the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, are embroiled in a heated dispute over who rightfully occupies the fourth position in the state’s traditional hierarchy.
The tussle, which has spilled beyond palace walls into the digital space, has polarised loyalists of both monarchs. While Ataoja’s supporters argue that Osogbo’s historic role as state capital confers a higher ranking, Oluwo’s camp insists that Iwo’s throne predates Osogbo and enjoys deeper ancestral legitimacy.
Ataoja Revives Dispute at Anniversary Lecture
The row resurfaced during Oba Oyetunji’s lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th coronation anniversary, where he restated that the Ataoja stool historically held the fourth position in the Council. He claimed that the seat was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Matanmi III.
Oba Oyetunji maintained that he was not seeking conflict but was only defending historical truth.
“Late Ataoja, Oba Iyiola Oyewale, travelled abroad, and before his return, the fourth position was allocated to Oluwo. That seat belongs to Ataoja,” he said.
“I am not fighting any monarch, but Ataoja’s stool is number four in Osun State.”
Oluwo Fires Back, Cites Oduduwa Lineage
Responding through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Akanbi, accused Ataoja of attempting to distort Yoruba history.
He argued that while the Oluwo’s crown flows directly from Oduduwa, the Ataoja only became a recognised monarch in 1948 and was elevated politically in 1976 under a military decree.
“As far as we know, Ataoja was a Baale until 1948. Ataoja’s crown is recent, but Oluwo’s beaded crown is ageless and undiluted,” he stated.
Clash at Obas’ Council Meeting
The rivalry has not been limited to public statements. Sources revealed that both monarchs clashed during a recent Council of Obas meeting. With the absence of the Ooni of Ife, Orangun of Ila, and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Ataoja assumed chairmanship as the most senior present.
However, tension arose when Oluwo arrived, expecting to be invited to preside. When Oba Oyetunji declined, Oluwo protested, disrupting proceedings until other royal fathers intervened. The matter was later resolved by the Ooni of Ife at a subsequent meeting.
Calls for Peace and Government Intervention
The Iwo Board of Trustees has since petitioned Governor Ademola Adeleke, urging him to compel Ataoja to retract his claims and apologise.
“The relative peace in Osun State must not be disturbed. We call on the Governor to direct Ataoja to recant his provocative statement and apologise to Oluwo and the Council,” their statement read.
Meanwhile, the Asiwaju of Osogbo, Justice Moshood Adeigbe (retd.), has appealed for restraint, stressing the need for reconciliation among the traditional rulers.
Observers fear that unless amicably resolved, the supremacy battle could further strain relations within the Osun traditional institution.
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