Princes from three royal families in Iwo, Osun State, have appealed to the state government and the Osun Traditional Council to regulate how traditional rulers use social media, warning that online disputes could deepen divisions among the Yoruba.

The call comes amid the supremacy battle between the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over who holds the fourth position in Osun State’s traditional hierarchy.

Speaking at a press conference in Iwo, Prince Adedoja Osunwo, spokesperson for the royal families, said records and a gazette confirmed that the Oluwo of Iwo occupies the fourth position. He stressed that the feud, largely fought on social media, could have been avoided if there were stronger internal mechanisms for conflict resolution among monarchs.

Osunwo emphasized that the throne of Oluwo emanated from Ile-Ife and has never been considered that of a lesser chief. He condemned reliance on folktales and distortion of history to justify rival claims.

The princes also commended Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Iwo Board of Trustees for efforts to ease tensions, urging the Ooni of Ife-led Osun Traditional Council to strengthen dispute resolution frameworks.

The dispute resurfaced after Ataoja, at a lecture marking his 15th coronation anniversary, insisted his stool historically held the fourth position in the state’s hierarchy, accusing past leaders of wrongly ceding it to the Oluwo. The Oluwo, however, countered through his press secretary, accusing Ataoja of historical distortion.