The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has demanded a public apology and retraction from Professor Ademola Dasylva over claims that the monarch arrived three hours late to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, the Palace described the professor’s comments as misleading and irresponsible, insisting that the monarch attended the event in line with a revised schedule that had already been communicated to the university.
According to the Palace, the university had initially scheduled the Alaafin’s arrival for 11:00 a.m. However, before the event, officials from the Palace informed the organisers that the monarch would be arriving alongside other paramount traditional rulers travelling from outside Oyo State.
The statement explained that the Palace had clearly indicated that the royal entourage could not arrive before noon or 1:00 p.m., giving the organisers sufficient notice to adjust their plans.
Durojaiye maintained that the communication was made in advance and in good faith, stressing that portraying the monarch as arriving late ignored the facts already known to the organisers.
He accused Professor Dasylva of either disregarding the information deliberately or making inflammatory comments without verifying the circumstances.
The Palace also emphasised that the Alaafin’s official movements are governed by established royal protocols and often coordinated with other traditional rulers, making it inappropriate to expect the monarch’s procession to follow a timetable fixed without proper consultation.
According to the statement, the Alaafin’s movement represents not only his office but also the dignity of the Oyo Kingdom, the traditional council and other royal institutions.
The Palace further questioned Professor Dasylva’s authority to comment on the issue, noting that he was neither the organiser of the event nor a member of the protocol team and therefore had no access to the correspondence exchanged between the Palace and the university.
While acknowledging Dasylva’s contributions to Yoruba scholarship, the Palace said academics are expected to verify facts before making public statements, especially on matters involving traditional institutions.
It insisted that criticism should be based on accurate information rather than assumptions capable of undermining respected Yoruba cultural institutions.
The Palace consequently demanded that the professor withdraw his remarks and tender a public apology for what it described as false claims made without proper consultation.
Reaffirming the monarch’s commitment to the promotion of Yoruba culture, education and scholarship, the Palace maintained that Oba Owoade honoured the event exactly as agreed with the organisers.
“The Alaafin did not arrive late. He attended the programme according to the schedule that had already been communicated to the organisers. Any claim to the contrary is false,” the statement said.
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