Alaafin Absent As Oyo Marks 50th Anniversary

Oyo State began activities to mark its 50th anniversary on Monday, but the absence of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, from the opening ceremony raised eyebrows and highlighted underlying rifts among the state’s traditional institutions.

The event took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, with Governor Seyi Makinde delivering the welcome address and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, offering a goodwill message.

Oyo State, created on February 3, 1976, by the late General Murtala Mohammed’s military government, marked the start of a year‑long celebration of its 50th anniversary.

In attendance at Monday’s ceremony were numerous dignitaries, including the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and other Oyo monarchs. However, the seat reserved for the Alaafin remained vacant, a development that did not go unnoticed.

The Alaafin’s absence reinforced a perceived conflict between him and the Olubadan, after a recent encounter at the 2026 interfaith gathering held at the Grand Space near the Oyo State House of Assembly.

A viral video from that event showed a brief but awkward moment between the two monarchs. According to the clip, the Alaafin, who was already seated, extended his hand to greet Oba Ladoja as he walked toward his seat. However, the handshake was not acknowledged, prompting the Olubadan to withdraw his hand.

Following the incident, a coalition of traditional leaders, including monarchs, mogajis, baales, and prominent Ibadan indigenes, issued a statement condemning what they described as disrespect toward Ibadan’s traditional institution.

“Alaafin’s disrespect to the Olubadan stool and traditional institution is getting out of hand,” the statement said.

The leaders insisted that Ibadanland is not subordinate to the Alaafin and challenged the protocol of offering a handshake while seated.

“If Governor Seyi Makinde does not caution him, and Ibadan people, including mogajis, baales and chiefs, are pushed to revolt against his insulting actions, the Oyo monarch will have only himself to blame,” the statement warned.

They emphasised that Ibadan people had shown restraint in past incidents but would no longer tolerate actions that they believed ridiculed their culture and traditions.