“I Won’t Play to the Gallery!” — Alaafin of Oyo Breaks Silence Over Viral Video with Ooni of Ife

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has finally responded to the whirlwind of online reactions sparked by a viral video showing him seated while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, exchanged pleasantries with fellow monarchs at a recent high-profile event in Ibadan.

The footage, captured during a gathering hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ignited a storm on social media. Some critics interpreted the Alaafin’s seated posture as a sign of disrespect toward the Ooni, one of the most prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

But the Alaafin isn’t having any of it.

In a strongly-worded statement released by his Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, the monarch dismissed the controversy as the handiwork of “bloggers and online commentators” bent on stirring division among Yoruba royal fathers.

“This is nothing but a distraction,” the statement read. “While our people are grappling with insecurity, economic stress, and unemployment, some would rather focus on seating positions at ceremonial events.”

Oba Owoade stressed his “deep respect” for the Ooni of Ife and described the viral debate as a “manufactured spectacle” that undermines the dignity of the Yoruba monarchy.

See the video here:

“Our forebears didn’t pass down thrones for theatrics,” the statement continued. “They handed us a sacred duty,  to protect, unite, and uplift. Iku Baba Yeye will not reduce that duty to performative displays for online applause.”

He called on Yoruba sons and daughters to redirect their attention toward pressing issues like youth empowerment, economic recovery, and communal unity,  not digital drama.

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The Alaafin reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening collaboration between traditional rulers, warning that attempts to sow discord will only weaken the cultural and developmental fabric of Yorubaland.

“Let no one mistake silence for weakness,” he added. “The real work is not in how we sit at events but in how we rise for our people.”