The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Owoade, 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.
This incident has stirred controversies from netizens, some saying Olubadan did nothing wrong while some expressed their disappointment to the Olubadan.
Here are what people are saying:
Omooooo..😲
That shook Aláàfin to his core—I could see it in his eyes instantly 🤭.
I’m really trying to grasp what all this conflict is truly about.
People will respect The Oòni by force. That man overlooks so much just to preserve peace. https://t.co/2kAD7dbwvD— 👑 OLUSOLA ÀLÀNÍ ❤️ (@Uncle_Olu_) January 12, 2026
😂😂😂 whatever you do to the people before you the ones after you are learning from it this is what Alaafin did to Ooni now Olubadan did the same to him 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/QlifxxnLfe
— Ààrẹ Ayọ̀dèjì (@omolisabi1) January 12, 2026
I think someone should tell the Alaafin of Oyo that respect begets respect. It cannot be compelled. Genuine respect is earned, not enforced.
You only attract respect by showing respect. In that light, Oba Owoade can hardly complain about the snub from the Olubadan, Oba Ladoja.…
— Olóyè T.D Esq (@BolanleCole) January 12, 2026
The only inference I deducted here? Envy!
Aláàfin làgbà Ọba.… I understand the media hype around the other impostors, including the media wing of Ọọni management.
Ànjùwọ́n ò séé wí lẹ́jọ́ 😆
— Opéyemí Rasaq (@operasaq) January 12, 2026
It is not about the age please! What has the age of Methuselah got to do with the wisdom of Solomon?
You don’t talk about age when someone is sitting on a cultural throne. If it is by age, Obasanjo would not have prostrated for Ooni as he is old enough to be his grandfather.…
— Adeleke (@Laykay1103) January 12, 2026
Oba Adewolu Ladoja is 81 years old, while Oba Akeem Owoade is 47. In Yorubaland, anyone old enough to be your father deserves to be treated like a father. At times, we can set aside throne seniority and uphold the moral values that set us apart from other tribes.
I’ll urge the… pic.twitter.com/0SbN8U0ERm
— Jerry Durojaiye (@kokomatic) January 12, 2026
People that complain that Ooni stand to greet Obas are the same people complaining that Alafin was seated when he tried to greet Olubadan 🤣🤣🤣 you can’t satisfy human beings, just do you and everbody go dey okay.
— Emerald 💚 هداية (@Mz_Tosyn) January 13, 2026
The longstanding rivalry and public verbal clashes over supremacy, authority, and leadership between the Alaafin and Ooni became more intense during the reign of Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III and Ooni Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II. They themselves inherited the rivalry from their… https://t.co/nCKyFjQYmU pic.twitter.com/Zh9ssvPLoO
— Ayọ̀dèjì Aládéjánà (@AladejanaDeji) January 13, 2026
Seen some comments for and against on this topic. All I’d say is that I don’t understand our monarchs of today sha.
One thing is crystal clear, Ooni Enitan is arguably the most respectful of all. https://t.co/xB6DCmzywa
— Ademuyiwa Adebola anipr (@ThisIsAdemuyiwa) January 13, 2026
During the last south west traditional rulers meeting , Alaafin Owoade while making his entrance walked to the front of Ooni and Olubadan and the duo took his handshake on sit . At this point , everyone of you hate Alaafin because why this double standard?
— Prince Ibrahim Adeyemi (@Captain4rier) January 12, 2026
Y’all should understand something that if he stand up to greet him won’t change him or reduce him, Ooni stood up to greet former Alaafin does that change him, he portray omoluabi culture this Owoade is too arrogant and too full of himself, let him carry the image of his late dad
— Fred (@Fried1990) January 12, 2026
It’s obvious this Ooni needs to be respected and not be disrespected. He should please look into the pressing needs of his home country and find lasting solutions to it. May God help us
— Ayoade Success D. (@success_ay37601) January 12, 2026