The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has broken its silence on the controversy surrounding the monarch’s recent visit to Osun State, clarifying why he did not stop by the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Speculations of a rift between two of Yorubaland’s most prominent traditional rulers had surfaced after Oba Owoade visited the Oluwo of Iwo without paying homage to the Ooni, who is widely regarded as a leading figure in Yoruba traditional leadership.
The visit sparked heated debates among Yoruba cultural stakeholders, especially following a declaration by the Oluwo that the Alaafin was superior to all other monarchs in the region.
But speaking over the development, Kolade Oladele, Personal Assistant to the Alaafin, dismissed claims of any rift and explained the circumstances of the missed visit.
According to him, Oba Owoade had planned to visit the Ooni as his first stop during the Osun trip, but the palace was informed that the Ooni was out of the country then.
“We didn’t ignore the Ooni during the visit. We reached out to the palace but were told that the Ooni wasn’t around.
“His palace was the first point of call in our itinerary, but we had to proceed to the Oluwo when we got that information,” Oladele stated.
He further emphasised that Oba Owoade is committed to fostering unity among the Yoruba people and has no interest in power tussles or supremacy battles.
“I always tell people there is no rift between Alaafin and the Ooni. Baba doesn’t have time to begrudge anybody.
“What matters to him is the unity and development of the Yoruba race. He is committed to that,” Oladele said.
He also disclosed that the Alaafin intends to visit both the Ooni and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, shortly as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.
Backing the Alaafin’s account, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, confirmed that the original plan was indeed to visit the Ooni first.
“I was privy to the arrangement. Alaafin truly wanted to visit the Ooni, but Baba was not at home.
“Alaafin didn’t ignore the Ooni at all. The two traditional rulers will work together for the progress and unity of the Yoruba,” he said.
However, the Ooni’s camp appeared unaware of any formal arrangement regarding a visit.
The Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare, denied receiving any official communication.
“There was no notification that the Alaafin was coming. Nobody contacted us either through a letter or a phone call before Baba travelled out. The only information we got was from one of our security operatives, who said someone from Alaafin’s palace asked if the Ooni was around,” Olafare said.
Despite the conflicting accounts, both palaces appeared keen to downplay the tension, with hopes that future engagements between the revered monarchs would reinforce unity across Yorubaland.
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