* Oba Ladoja (left), Oba Owoade (right)
By Ibidapo Olowolayemo, Ibadan
Tuesday January 13, 2026
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Indigenes of Ibadan were angry on Monday, as there were social media reports that The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, disrespected the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, at a state-organised event.
The two prominent traditional rulers were alleged to have had a tense moment during the annual Inter-Faith Service organised by the Oyo State government.
The development sparked widespread public debate and reactions across the state.
The incident occurred at the Secretariat Grand Space, behind the Oyo State House of Assembly, where the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, and Oba (Senator) Ladoja were both in attendance.
Eyewitness said tension briefly filled the atmosphere when the Alaafin, in what appeared to be a gesture of courtesy, extended his hand to greet the Olubadan while on seat. The Olubadan, however, was said not to have reciprocated the gesture and proceeded to exchange pleasantries with the state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, and other dignitaries before taking his seat.
The development reportedly drew murmurs from attendees and had generated intense reactions among residents and observers of Yoruba traditional institutions.
An Ibadan indigene who witnessed the incident expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that established customs and hierarchy among traditional rulers should be respected.
“There are long-standing traditions and protocols guiding interactions between monarchs. Such gestures should always reflect those sensitivities,” he said under condition of anonimity.
The episode has since reignited public discourse on the hierarchy, customs, and relationships among traditional rulers in Oyo State.
While some commentators fault the Alaafin’s action as inappropriate within traditional norms, others have criticised the public nature of the perceived snub, describing it as unnecessary and potentially damaging to the image of the traditional institution.
However, the Olubadan, Oba Ladoja, has declined to make a public statement, further fueling speculation and debate.
Meanwhile, social media platforms have been awash with reactions, with culture enthusiasts, historians, and citizens expressing divergent views on the incident.
Amid the growing controversy, calls have emerged from various quarters urging calm, dialogue, and reconciliation between the two monarchs to safeguard the dignity and stability of Yoruba traditional governance.
Many residents of Oyo State are now watching closely, hoping for clarification and a peaceful resolution to what several observers have described as an avoidable and unfortunate episode.
Ibadan traditional rulers
Meanwhile, the Ibadan traditional stakeholders, including monarchs, mogajis, baales, and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland have, again, warned the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, against disrespecting the stool of Olubadan and Ibadan traditional institution.
The stakeholders described the action of Oba Owoade, who was said to have stretched hand to greet Oba Ladoja while on seat at a function on Monday at Agodi Government House, Ibadan as an insult to Olubadan and the entire Ibadanland traditional institution.
According to the stakeholders, the attitude of Oba Owoade, which was snub by His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland should be seen as a clear warning, saying any further insult from Alaafin Owoade to Oba Ladoja would be met with greater insults from Ibadan traditional stakeholders, including kabiyesis, chiefs, mogajis, baales and others.
A statement by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and Coordinator of Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, on Monday, described Oba Owoade’s action as an embarrassment of the highest order.
The duo stated that Ibadan traditional stakeholders are prepared to deal desicively with any acts capable of bringing any forms of disrepute to its Traditional Institution
The stakeholders said Oba Adewolu Ladoja surpasses Oba Owoade considering his age, achievements in life, his social, political, business life, his leadership trend and been at the helm of affairs of Ibadan traditional Institution as the Olubadan.
According to the statement, “Alaafin disrespect to Olubadan stool and traditional institution is getting out of hand, if Governor Seyi Makinde don’t caution him, and Ibadan people (Including Mogajis, Baales, Chiefs etc) were pushed to revolt his insultive action against Olubadan, the Oyo monarch will hate himself.
“We have on records, series of his uncultured attitude towards Ibadan traditional stools, this has to stop as Ibadanland will not tolerate his further agraddishment.
“Ibadan people are not coward or lazy, we are fearless, we are just suppressing and calming the nerves of our people .
“Ibadan people cherished their culture and traditions and holds it in high esteem , anything that is capable of ridiculing the culture and traditions of Ibadan will be rejected by the people of Ibadanland.
“Alaafin cannot come to our territory, while sitting down and stretching his hand to shake our highly revered 82-year old Olubadan.
“Oba Ladoja was a former Senator, a former Governor, an international figure and a successful business man.
“Alaafin may choose not to greet Oba Ladoja, but stretching hands while on the seat to greet Olubadan, is an insult to the entire Ibadan traditional institution.”
“Ibadanland has never for once be a subordinate to Alaafin, Ibadan mesi O go.”
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