Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho has publicly refuted claims that he disrespected the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, during a recent visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The denial comes after a viral video from the Ooni’s palace on Saturday was interpreted by some as containing insults toward the Alaafin. Igboho described this interpretation as a grave misunderstanding, insisting he holds the Alaafin in the highest esteem.
In a clarification, Igboho revealed that the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, had called to inform him that the Alaafin felt slighted. He firmly rejected this notion, stating, “I want to make it clear that I never abused the Alaafin. I can’t and I won’t. The Alaafin is not a small monarch in Yorubaland. I am from Oyo, and the Alaafin is my father.”
Igboho attributed the confusion to a cultural practice. He explained that during his visit, traditional drummers began chanting his family’s lineage praises (oriki), and he simply responded in kind by adding his own family’s traditional chants. He stated that this was a normal form of acknowledgement in his culture and that he had done the same during a past visit to the Alaafin’s palace.
“If my words were misunderstood, I ask for forgiveness. I never meant to insult the Alaafin,” he added, reaffirming his deep respect for all Yoruba traditional institutions.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
