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The Palace of the Ooni of Ife has issued a strong condemnation of a viral video released by The Oyo Legacies, the media arm of the Alaafin of Oyo’s palace, which it claims deliberately misrepresented the cordial interaction between His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and His Imperial Majesty, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, during the West Africa Economic Summit held in Abuja on Saturday.
In an official statement signed by Otunba Moses Olafare, Director of Media & Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, the royal court described the circulated video as “a blatant misrepresentation” that only showed the Alaafin allegedly refusing to greet the Ooni, while omitting their actual warm exchange.
“The Ooni, who serves as Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and Permanent Chairman of both the Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers and Osun State Council of Obas, had arrived early and was already seated in the VIP lounge with distinguished guests when the Alaafin arrived,” the statement clarified.
Contrary to the video’s implication, the palace detailed how the Alaafin had demonstrated respect by going directly to greet the Ooni. “His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Akeem Owoade, arrived in his royal splendor and walked straight to the Ooni’s seat for royal greetings, bypassing his allocated seat,” the statement read. “The Arole Oduduwa, in his characteristic humility, rose to welcome his brother monarch, and both exchanged pleasantries and shared light moments before the Alaafin proceeded to his seat.”
The statement further explained the protocol observed during the event: “When called to the main hall, the Ooni exited first, followed shortly by the Alaafin, with both taking their properly assigned seats for the summit’s opening by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Expressing deep disappointment, the Ooni’s palace criticized The Oyo Legacies for what it called “arrogant misrepresentation” that failed to show the Alaafin’s “virtuous conduct.” The statement emphasized that the Alaafin had actually scheduled a visit to Ile-Ife before the week’s end, demonstrating their amicable relationship.
“The primary duty of media handlers is to build positive public image for their principals, not to create unnecessary controversies,” the palace asserted, calling for immediate retraining of the Alaafin’s media team. “Alaafin Owoade conducted himself as a peace-loving monarch who values relationships. His media team should have highlighted this rather than fabricating discord.”
The palace urged the public to disregard the misleading video, reaffirming the mutual respect between the two revered Yoruba monarchs. As of press time, the Alaafin’s palace had not issued any response to the allegations.