A fresh wave of controversy has engulfed Oyo State’s traditional institution following a tense moment between two of its most revered monarchs — the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja — at the 2026 Inter-Faith Service for Civil Servants held at the Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
The incident, which occurred in full public view, has reignited speculation about a deepening rift between the two foremost traditional rulers. Eyewitnesses report that moments after Governor Seyi Makinde arrived at the venue, the Olubadan made his entrance and exchanged pleasantries with the governor and other monarchs present.
However, tension reportedly arose when the Olubadan appeared to ignore an attempt by the Alaafin to greet and welcome him, proceeding instead to acknowledge others before calmly taking his seat — leaving the Alaafin visibly unsettled.
The dramatic moment triggered murmurs across the hall and quickly spread across social media, drawing strong reactions from cultural observers, historians, and the general public.
While some argued that it was improper for the Alaafin to remain seated while extending a greeting to an elderly monarch, others maintained that the stool of the Alaafin, by long-established Yoruba historical hierarchy, commands exceptional reverence regardless of the age of its occupant.
Sources familiar with palace dynamics suggest the tension is rooted in a lingering supremacy dispute, a claim reinforced by a similar episode on December 15, 2025, during the unveiling of the Oyo@50 logo at the same venue.
On that occasion, the Alaafin was represented by a chief, but controversy erupted when the Olubadan objected to being seated beside the Alaafin’s representative, whose chair was positioned ahead of his. The situation reportedly escalated until top government officials intervened, eventually relocating the Olubadan to a seat placed before that of the Alaafin.
In response to the growing unease, Governor Seyi Makinde was said to have convened a brief closed-door meeting with both monarchs on December 22, 2025, shortly after signing the 2026 Appropriation Bill at the Executive Council Chamber, Agodi.
The unscheduled 15-minute meeting, held at the Coffee Room opposite the Exco Chamber’s photo gallery, was widely interpreted as an effort to foster unity and restore harmony between the revered stools. Details of the discussion, however, remain undisclosed.
Despite these interventions, the latest public episode has reopened old wounds, reviving concerns about cohesion within Oyo State’s traditional leadership and the broader implications for the dignity, unity, and stability of the Yoruba royal institution.
As debates continue, cultural custodians and stakeholders are increasingly calling for restraint, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to the values of respect and unity that have long defined Yoruba traditional governance.