Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, have stirred public debate following an encounter at a public event in Ibadan on Monday.
Both traditional rulers attended the 2026 interfaith gathering held at the Grand Space, near the Oyo state house of assembly.
A video from the event, which has since gone viral, shows the Olubadan walking towards his seat beside the Alaafin, who had arrived earlier and was already seated.
As Ladoja approached, Owoade extended his hand for a handshake, which the Olubadan ignored, prompting the Alaafin to withdraw his hand.
The incident has revived long-standing historical tensions over status and supremacy between the two foremost Yoruba traditional stools.
Reacting to the development, Ibadan traditional leaders condemned the Alaafin’s gesture, describing it as disrespectful to the Olubadan and the Ibadan traditional institution.
In a statement, the leaders—comprising monarchs, mogajis, baales and prominent Ibadan indigenes—argued that Ibadanland is not subordinate to the Alaafin, adding that offering the Olubadan a handshake while seated amounted to an insult.
They called on Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, to caution the Alaafin against what they described as a “series of uncultured attitudes” towards Ibadan traditional stools.
“Alaafin’s disrespect to the Olubadan stool and traditional institution is getting out of hand,” the statement reads.
“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 leaders said there are records of previous incidents they described as disrespectful conduct towards Ibadan traditional institutions, warning that Ibadanland would no longer tolerate such actions.
“Ibadan people are not cowards or lazy; we are fearless. We have only been suppressing and calming the nerves of our people,” they added.
“Ibadan people cherish their culture and traditions and hold them in high esteem. Anything capable of ridiculing these traditions will be rejected.”
They further stated that it was unacceptable for the Alaafin to remain seated while stretching out his hand to greet the 82-year-old Olubadan within Ibadan territory.
“Oba Ladoja is a former senator, a former governor, an international figure and a successful businessman,” they said.
“The Alaafin may choose not to greet the Olubadan, but stretching his hand while seated is an insult to the entire Ibadan traditional institution.”
Meanwhile, Makinde made no comment on the altercation when he shared a post on the event on his X handle.
He said the gathering gives residents of the state “an opportunity to thank God together irrespective of our faiths and fosters unity in diversity”.
He thanked the state’s civil servants for their contributions towards the development of Oyo state and informed them of his plans to “approve the 2025 promotion file today”.
