A fresh wave of debate over royal hierarchy in Yoruba land has erupted following a dramatic moment between two of its most prominent monarchs—the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The incident unfolded at a cultural event hosted in Ibadan by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. A video from the event shows the Ooni of Ife arriving, with most traditional rulers in attendance rising to greet him in respect. In contrast, the Alaafin of Oyo notably stayed seated, opting not to follow the custom. Despite this, the Ooni walked up to him, extended a handshake, and briefly exchanged words before proceeding to his seat.
This simple gesture—or lack of it—has stirred widespread reactions across social media, reigniting the long-standing historical and cultural rivalry between the two royal stools.
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One user wrote, “Alaafin ruled most of Yoruba land for centuries… the Ife origin story was just created to diminish Oyo’s monarchy.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “Have you wondered why Alaafin was used in pre-colonial government? He was the political and military leader; Ooni is the spiritual head.”
Others felt differently. “Courtesy demands you stand up for anybody extending a hand to greet you, irrespective of crown or status. It’s disrespectful and un-Yoruba to behave otherwise,” someone criticized.
The debate has also spilled into historical interpretation. Some commenters argued that the Ooni’s seat represents the ancestral origin of the Yoruba people, while the Alaafin symbolizes political might and empire-building. “Technically, they’re both number one,” a user suggested, highlighting the complexity of Yoruba royal heritage.
Meanwhile, some viewed the incident as overblown. “Na their greetings go give us money?” joked one commenter, capturing a sentiment shared by many amused viewers. Another wrote, “Why should he stand up? A king does not stand for another king.”
Amid the firestorm, some voices called for balance. “They are both first-class Obas,” someone commented. “We should focus on unity, not superiority.”
The video has amplified long-standing conversations about tradition, respect, and status in Yoruba leadership. Whether symbolic or incidental, the Alaafin’s choice to remain seated has reignited a cultural dialogue that still holds weight in contemporary Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral video showing him seated while greeting the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at a recent public event.
The footage, which emerged from an event hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Ibadan, has continued to generate reactions from social media users.
The video captured the moment the Ooni arrived, prompting other monarchs to rise and exchange greetings, while the Alaafin remained seated.
Responding to the development through a statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, the Alaafin dismissed the reactions trailing the incident as a deliberate attempt by bloggers and online commentators to sow discord between Yoruba traditional rulers.
He described the controversy as a distraction from more pressing issues affecting the region, including insecurity, economic hardship, and youth development.
Alaafin Owoade reaffirmed his deep respect for the Ooni of Ife and all custodians of Yoruba tradition, stating that he remains committed to inter-royal collaboration as a foundation for peace, unity, and progress in Yorubaland.
He also stressed the importance of preserving the dignity of the monarchy and avoiding actions that reduce royal engagements to online spectacles.
He urged the public to reject divisive interpretations of royal encounters and to support efforts aimed at repositioning traditional institutions as agents of meaningful development and unity across the region
With additional reports from GWG and Nigerian Tribune
