The Oloni of Eti-Oni in Osun State, Oba Dokun Thompson, has said the ‘Alaafin’ title is not exclusive to any king or kingdom, noting that it traditionally applies to every occupier of a palace in Yorubaland.

Earlier in June, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, stirred controversy after expressing his desire to be addressed as the “Alaafin of Iwo.”

Speaking during a courtesy visit of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to his palace in Iwo on June 3, 2025, Oba Akanbi described the Alaafin title as supreme to all other traditional titles in Yorubaland.

“I don’t know any other title in Yorubaland that is superior to the Alaafin. Henceforth, I will also want to be called Alaafin of Iwo and we will inform the government about it,”Olowu said.

Given the widespread belief that the Alaafin title is exclusive to the Oyo monarch, Oluwo’s remark sparked heated debates on social media, with many Yoruba natives sharing divergent opinions.

However, in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, Oba Thompson condemned the debate, describing it as needless because “the Alaafin title is not the birthright of any kingdom.”

The Oloni argued that no name or title was permanent.

“It is unfortunate that those who speak negative and create a lot of sensation out of a no issue do not understand the historical context of how towns or titles are created and no name or title is cast in stone,” he said.“It is unfortunate that those who speak negative and create a lot of sensation out of a no issue do not understand the historical context of how towns or titles are created and no name or title is cast in stone,” he said.

He interpreted “Alaafin” to mean “Occupier of the palace,” asserting that any king can rightly bear that title in a generic sense, as it is not inherently owned by any single kingdom.”

Oba Thompson said, “Do you know that the Adimula of Ifewara was initially titled Ooni of Ifewara? It was when the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, became the Governor of Western Region that he changed the Ifewara title because he wanted to have that exclusivity to the name or title, Ooni.

“The Olubadan title is also very recent. If we look back at history, Bashorun title was the traditional ruler of the Ibadans but today, it has become a generic or contemporary and accepted title not as that of a king but a chief who is seen as a warrior leader of sort.

“We have several of these cases across not just the South-West region but across the world. I am not even sure if those who are challenging the statement by the Oluwo of Iwo have asked themselves the generic or contemporary meaning of Alaafin.

“In short, every occupier of the palace is an Alaafin. What makes the difference with Oyo is that he occupied the first palace in what was known as Yorubaland then,” Oba Thompson explained.

He noted that the true exclusive title of any Oba is one that is derived from the name of the town, which car ries more symbolic weight as the natural land owner.

Oloni said rather than stoking tension and confusion over royal titles, people should shift their focus to issues that foster progress and development.

“To be honest, people should be demanding more progress and advancement for their respective communities, secured environment, good education, health care, and all necessary and basic social and physical infrastructure over engaging in these controversies and debates that build nothing but take us even more backwards rather than forward,” he said. (PUNCH)