Oyo State began celebrating its 50th anniversary on Monday, however Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, was not present at the inaugural event, which took place at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Governor Seyi Makinde gave a welcoming speech, while Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Adebo Edward Ogundoyin sent a message of goodwill.
Brigadier David Jemibewon was named the first military governor of Oyo State, which was established on February 3, 1976, by the military administration of the late General Murtala Mohammed.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other Oyo monarchs attended the event, however the Alaafin’s seat was empty.
The imagined struggle between the two traditional rulers was strengthened by the Alaafin’s absence.
This came after the monarchs’ recent encounter at the 2026 interfaith event at the Grand Space next to the Oyo State House of Assembly, when their exchange garnered media attention.
The Olubadan was seen approaching his seat next to the Alaafin, who had arrived earlier and was already seated, in a video from the event that subsequently went viral on social media.
The Alaafin reached out to shake hands with Oba Ladoja as he arrived, but Oba Ladoja did not acknowledge him, so he withdrew his hand.
A group of leaders, including monarchs, mogajis, baales, and well-known Ibadan natives, condemned what they called disrespect for Ibadan traditional institutions in a statement released after the incident.
They said that Ibadanland is not subject to the Alaafin and contended that it was improper to shake hands while seated.
According to the statement, “Alaafin’s disrespect to the Olubadan stool and traditional institution is getting out of hand.”
The leaders warned that silence might exacerbate tensions and called on Governor Makinde to step in.
“The Oyo monarch will have only himself to blame if Governor Seyi Makinde does not warn him and Ibadan people, including mogajis, baales, and chiefs, are forced to revolt against his offensive actions,” they stated.
They went on to say that although Ibadan people had shown forbearance in the face of previous events, they would no longer put up with acts that could mock their customs and culture.
