OLUBADAN SNUBS ALAAFIN AT INTER-FAITH GATHERING — ROYAL PROTOCOL BREACHED IN FULL VIEW OF GOVERNOR, CLERGY, DIPLOMATS


By Adesakin Adefemi 

A tense moment unfolded at the 2026 Inter-Faith Service held at the Secretariat’s Grand Space behind the Oyo State House of Assembly when the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Ladoja, walked past an outstretched hand from the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, during a formal greeting on the dais.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the Alaafin, seated in full ceremonial regalia, extended his right hand — a traditional sign of respect — as the Olubadan approached. The Olubadan instead turned his head away, avoided eye contact, and moved straight to greet Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries before taking his seat, leaving the Alaafin visibly still for several seconds before sitting back.

Video captured on smartphones quickly went viral on X, WhatsApp and TikTok, sparking heated debate across social media and among cultural commentators. “This isn’t just a snub — it’s a public declaration of war between two of Nigeria’s most powerful traditional thrones,” said historian Dr. Bolaji Ogunyemi.

The incident has reignited long-standing rivalry over ceremonial precedence: while the Alaafin is nationally recognized as “head of the Yoruba” under 1979 and 1989 laws, the Olubadan commands the wealthiest and most populous traditional council in Ibadan — once a rival to Oyo as Yorubaland’s cultural hub. Recent disputes over land, tax revenue and hosting rights appear to have boiled over into the public domain.

Ibadan traditional stakeholders mogajis, baales and prominent indigenes warned the Alaafin against “disrespecting the Olubadan stool,” calling it “insulting” for a seated monarch to stretch his hand toward a standing one. They stressed Oba Ladoja’s seniority as a former senator, governor and international figure.

Neither palace has issued a formal statement. The Olubadan’s office released a vague line pledging “unity and mutual respect,” while an Alaafin aide said the monarch was “deeply disappointed” but will pursue “diplomatic channels.” Governor Makinde, standing nearby, later urged “grace and wisdom” widely read as a diplomatic nudge to cool tempers.

The Yoruba Cultural Preservation Society and the Nigerian Institute for Leadership and Governance have called an emergency meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas to draft a code of conduct for inter‑oba engagements.

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