Prominent Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has again come under the spotlight with his appearance at the 91st birthday thanksgiving service of renowned Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, as he was asked to vacate his seat for the celebrant.
Oba Owoade had on Sunday joined other notable dignitaries at the church where the thanksgiving service was held in celebration of the Esama of Benin Kingdom.
Following his arrival, the Oyo monarch sat at the front row as the congregation awaited the arrival of the celebrant.
Igbinedion’s appearance was met with a standing ovation from the congregation as he walked up to the front row where Oba Owoade remained seated before the controversial moment ensued.
As captured in a video shared on X on Monday, the Yoruba monarch was told to vacant the rear end of the seat for Igbinedion and his wife.
Oba Owoade, as instructed, stood up and adjusted to accommodate the celebrant.
Chief Igbinedion exchanging handshake with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, durin the thanksgiving service
The awkward moment had since sparked mixed reactions from netizens with some expressing their displeasure over the incident while others claimed the monarch had only acted out of respect and humility.
Leading the charge was Lere Olayinka, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s spokesperson.
Olayinka condemned the action which he claimed can never happen during the tenure of Oba Owoade’s predecessor, late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi.
“Honestly, this is so very bad! How can Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye be made to stand up and leave his seat? Was it that there were no other seats? No one could dare do this to Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi Omo Olukuewu.” He wrote in a post on his X handle.
“I think it’s time the governments of the South West bar our 1st class kings from leaving the palace anyhow. As a Yoruba man, I am ashamed by this video. Can you imagine? A whole Alaafin ooo. It’s well.”@Olumidephillips commented.
“In general, some of the Yoruba traditional rulers (obas) should start reducing the number of social events and gatherings they attend.”@Frankie44.
“Nothing much here really, IMO. The protocol should have labeled the seats properly. The Aláàfin was just being humane and humble because the man was very fragile too”@DbPragmatic
“This is absolutely wrong and unnecessary”@Oladele
“There is no iku baba yeye inside a church please lets stop promoting nonsense”@Olusegini
“He deserves it, why? He never respected the acclaimed Number 1 stool in Yoruba Land, the Ooni of Ife stool. I’m not here for arguments but that is the most respected Oba across the world. Yoruba may have history of who is senior or that, but Ooni of Ife stool is Yoruba’s no 1″@JustBosun
“Na pride go later kpai you. So it’s now a big deal to adjust a bit to accommodate others. If at the end he was adamant or refused adjusting you will still be the first to accuse him of been proud and not accommodating.”@IbekeStanley
“Our traditional rulers should learn how to stay in the domain, not every occasion they should attend.”@Adediran Emmanuel
“There is nothing wrong in what was done there considering the frailty of the old man just coming in. Moreover, he and his wife wanted to seat close to Alaafin being his most cherished guest. Stop playing politics with everything my dear brother”@Ishola Ogunsola
“Tempest in a teacup. Kabiyesi did the right thing to make room for his host. The connection between Esama and the Alaafin is commendable.”@nytade
