A public gathering of religious and political leaders in Oyo State on Monday was briefly overshadowed by a moment of apparent royal friction between two of the state’s most prominent traditional rulers.
During the 2026 Inter-Faith Service held at the Secretariat’s Grand Space, behind the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan, an incident involving the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Ladoja, drew the attention of attendees and later became a topic of widespread public discussion.
Video taken at the event showed how the Olubadan snubbed the Alaafin who, while sitting, extended his hands in greeting to the Olubadan but the latter ignored the move and took his seat dramatically. The gesture was not reciprocated; the Alaafin did not rise to accept the greeting. Oba Ladoja subsequently continued to exchange pleasantries with other monarchs, as well as with Governor Seyi Makinde and other officials, before taking his seat.
The moment, witnessed by numerous dignitaries, quickly became the subject of intense discussion beyond the event’s walls. The incident sparked a public debate centered on the nuances of royal protocol, hierarchy, and the expected conduct of traditional institutions at official state functions.
Some observers expressed surprise and excitement over the public drama, viewing it as a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the interpersonal dynamics of the highest traditional offices. Others, however, cautioned against drawing quick conclusions without a thorough understanding of the long-established customs and traditions that govern interactions between these revered stools.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the palaces of either monarch or from the Oyo State Government to provide context or clarification for the incident. The public discourse continues to focus on interpreting a brief exchange that has highlighted the deep cultural significance attached to every gesture and action of Nigeria’s traditional rulers.
