The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has dismissed widespread claims that he deliberately snubbed the Alaafin of Oyo at a recent public event, describing the incident as a misunderstanding amplified by selective social media narratives.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent in Ibadan, the revered monarch said his actions at the event were guided strictly by protocol and timing, not by disrespect or royal rivalry.
“There was no intention whatsoever,” Oba Ladoja stated. “What happened was not deliberate. It has been misinterpreted, especially on social media.”
The Olubadan explained that he arrived late at the event and made efforts to take his seat quietly without disrupting ongoing proceedings, likening his actions to proper conduct in a mosque during prayers.
“When I go late to a place, I try to bring good news,” he said. “At the mosque, when prayers are ongoing, you wait until they form a line and then you join appropriately. I was simply trying to take my seat before anyone would say I could not move again.”
Clarifying the seating arrangement, the monarch noted that his designated seat was located between traditional institutions, requiring him to pass through certain sections of the hall. By the time he attempted to settle, movements by other dignitaries altered the arrangement, forcing him to retrace his steps.
“My seat was sandwiched between the Sohun and the Alaafin. I had to pass through some people to get there. I didn’t make any decision to avoid or ignore anyone. Why should I?” he asked.
Oba Ladoja also expressed concern over what he described as deliberate mischief by some commentators, stressing that short video clips circulating online do not capture the full sequence of events.
“If you watch the full video, you will see me greeting people, including the governor,” he said. “Social media has a way of taking things out of context.”
Addressing reports of tension or offence arising from the incident, the Olubadan said communication had already been made and dismissed suggestions of strained relations.
“I don’t think anyone was being offensive, and I don’t see the issue as an insult to anybody,” he added.
Beyond the controversy, the monarch reiterated his long-standing commitment to unity, social stability, and development, particularly in education and youth advancement.
“My goal is to unite the present generation and those coming after us,” he said. “We must raise standards, especially in education, and focus on what truly brings progress to our society.”
The clarification comes amid heightened online debates over royal protocol and perceived rivalries among traditional rulers in Oyo State—debates many observers say risk distracting from the stabilising and unifying role of traditional institutions in governance and community development.
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