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By Oscar Okhifo
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding an alleged snub of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, at a recent public function, saying the incident was neither deliberate nor disrespectful.
In an interview with Newsmen in Ibadan, the monarch described the uproar generated by viral video clips as a misrepresentation of events, insisting that his conduct at the event was guided strictly by protocol and timing, not by any intention to slight a fellow traditional ruler.
“There was no intention whatsoever,” Oba Ladoja said. “What happened was not deliberate. It has been misinterpreted, especially on social media.”
According to the Olubadan, he arrived slightly late at the event and tried to take his seat quietly in order not to disrupt proceedings. He likened the situation to etiquette observed in religious gatherings, where latecomers are expected to move discreetly.
“When I go late to a place, I try to bring good news,” he explained. “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.”
The monarch explained that his designated seat was located between different sections of the hall, requiring him to pass through some areas to get there.
However, by the time he returned, he discovered that some dignitaries had already moved, prompting him to retrace his steps.
“My seat was sandwiched between Sohun and 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, noting that short video clips shared online did not present the full picture of what happened.
“If you watch the full video, you will see me greeting people, including the governor,” he said.
“But social media has a way of taking things out of context.”
On suggestions that the incident had caused tension or offence, the Olubadan dismissed such claims, saying necessary communication had been made and that no slight was intended.
“I don’t think anyone was being offensive, and I don’t see the issue as an insult to anybody,” he said.
Beyond the controversy, the monarch used the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to unity, development and love particularly among younger generations.
“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 has gone a long way in calming the tensed online debate that followed the incident, with observers opining that controversies over protocol and perceived rivalries among traditional institutions in Oyo State often gain undue attention on social media, diverting focus from the stabilizing and unifying role traditional rulers are expected to play in governance and social cohesion.