This was due in large part, to the empire's policy of allowing conquered rulers a fair amount of autonomy as long as they paid tribute and provided military contingents when ordered.
During his reign, the southern states under Asante's influence such as Denkyira, Wassa, Twifo and Akyem became openly hostile and threatened the empire's commercial routes to the coast.
[2] Meanwhile, the bantamahene, one of the major Asante military officers,[4] had been relentlessly pressuring Asantehene Kusi Oboadum for war.
[3] The Ashanti army never reached Dahomey and was forced to retreat marking a victory for the Oyo Empire.
[2] This particular battle caused the Ashanti to refocus their foreign policy back to their original goals rather than spreading themselves too thin.