Ooni of Ife’s palace condemns viral video shared by The Oyo Legacies, calling it a false account of Alaafin’s respectful gesture at Abuja summit

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]oni Alaafin viral video controversy has sparked sharp reaction from the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, which has condemned what it described as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.

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In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by Otunba Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, the viral footage shared by The Oyo Legacies was dismissed as misleading and contrary to the events that transpired at the West Africa Economic Summit in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the palace, the video misrepresented the interaction between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.

The footage, which appeared to show the Alaafin ignoring the Ooni, was labelled as edited and incomplete.

The Ooni, who holds key roles such as Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, had arrived early and was seated at the VIP lounge with notable dignitaries.

Kabiyesi Alaafin Owoade did excellently well in his approach… he should have been reported as a monarch of peace and harmony.

When the Alaafin arrived, the statement noted that he bypassed his assigned seat to greet the Ooni in a gesture described as respectful and symbolic of unity.

“Kabiyesi Alaafin Owoade did excellently well in his approach to Kabiyesi Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Ogunwusi in Abuja yesterday, and it should have been so adequately reported by The Oyo Legacies showcasing him as a monarch of peace and harmony that he is and not otherwise,” the palace stated.

The palace recounted how both monarchs later proceeded to the main hall side by side and were seated according to protocol, dismissing suggestions of tension.

The Ooni’s camp criticised the media wing of the Alaafin’s palace for what it called “a damaging portrayal” and advised a complete reorientation for proper public image management.

“The media team must be retrained in image protocol and ethics,” Olafare said, stressing that their failure had portrayed the Alaafin in a false light.

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The palace concluded by urging the public to disregard the video and instead recognise the peaceful and respectful engagement that occurred between the two respected Yoruba monarchs.