Signs of a growing rift between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerged on Monday following an awkward public encounter at a state-organised inter-faith service in Ibadan.
Tension reportedly flared when the Olubadan arrived at the event shortly after Governor Seyi Makinde and exchanged greetings with him and other monarchs in attendance. Observers said the atmosphere changed when the Olubadan appeared to ignore an attempt by the Alaafin to greet him, before proceeding to take his seat, leaving the Alaafin visibly unsettled.
The incident triggered murmurs among attendees and quickly reignited public debate across the state, with many interpreting the gesture as a reflection of an unresolved supremacy dispute between the two foremost traditional stools in Oyo State.
Opinions remain divided over the episode. While some argued that protocol was breached by the Alaafin remaining seated while extending a greeting to an older monarch, others maintained that the Alaafin’s stool traditionally ranks above that of the Olubadan and should be accorded due deference regardless of the current occupant’s age.
Sources said the latest incident mirrors an earlier disagreement during the unveiling of the Oyo@50 logo on December 15, 2025, where seating arrangements reportedly sparked tension after the Olubadan objected to being positioned beside a representative of the Alaafin, who was not physically present at the event.
The disagreement then required the intervention of senior government officials, leading to a rearrangement of seating in favour of the Olubadan, a development that further fuelled public speculation about rivalry between the two royal institutions.
Concern over the relationship between the monarchs had earlier prompted Governor Makinde to convene a brief closed-door meeting with both rulers on December 22, 2025, shortly after the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill. Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, observers believe it was aimed at restoring harmony.
The latest episode has renewed anxieties among traditional stakeholders and residents, with many warning that continued public displays of discord could undermine the unity, dignity and moral authority of the traditional institution in Oyo State.
