Viral Video: “I hold Ooni of Ife in high esteem” – Alaafin of Oyo addresses controversy
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has broken his silence following public backlash over a viral video showing him seated while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, exchanged greetings with fellow monarchs during an event in Ibadan.
The footage, captured at a recent gathering hosted by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, quickly went viral and sparked online debates, with many criticising the Alaafin’s posture as seemingly disrespectful.
In a statement released through his Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, the Alaafin dismissed the uproar as a deliberate attempt by bloggers and social media users to incite discord among Yoruba royal leaders.
He emphasised that such distractions shift focus from the real challenges confronting Yorubaland, such as insecurity, economic difficulties, and youth unemployment.
Reaffirming his respect for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Owoade expressed his dedication to fostering unity among Yoruba monarchs, describing collaboration among traditional rulers as essential for the region’s progress.
“It is unfortunate that a simple interaction between two revered monarchs is being misrepresented,” the statement read.
“The Alaafin holds the Ooni and all custodians of Yoruba culture in the highest regard and remains committed to building unity, stability, and progress throughout Yorubaland.”
He urged the public to disregard divisive narratives and focus on meaningful issues that affect the people, stressing that royal institutions must not be reduced to subjects of online sensationalism.
