The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Adeniyi Owoade I, has firmly denied claims suggesting he is entangled in a supremacy tussle with any other traditional ruler, describing the allegations as baseless, mischievous, and a deliberate attempt to stir unnecessary controversy in the Yoruba traditional institution.
The revered monarch made this known through an official statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the circulation of a viral video alleging that the Alaafin had ordered the assault of a visiting traditional figure, supposedly linked to the Oyotunji village in the United States. The video, published by a YouTube channel identified as Awikonko TV, claimed the incident was an extension of an alleged power struggle between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife — a narrative Oba Owoade has categorically dismissed as a fabrication designed to malign his reign.
According to the statement, the monarch expressed deep displeasure over the unfounded content, describing the anchor of the video as a “pathological liar” whose falsehoods should be discarded by right-thinking members of the public. Oba Owoade emphasised that the Alaafin’s office has no interest in any form of supremacy battle, adding that such talk is alien to his mission and the legacy of the revered Oyo stool.
He explained that the Oyotunji village in South Carolina, USA, traces its ancestral lineage to Oyo, and has, on several occasions, affirmed this link, including during the reign of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. On those visits, he noted, the Oyotunji royal delegation was received with honour and respect — a tradition he has upheld since ascending the throne.
The Alaafin clarified that after his own coronation, the monarch of Oyotunji paid a courtesy visit to Oyo to offer his congratulations, during which he was warmly welcomed without incident. He questioned the credibility of the false narrative pushed by the online medium, saying it bore no semblance to reality and was completely divorced from the actual events.
“It is both laughable and shameful that anyone would fabricate such a tale. There is absolutely no truth in the claim that I ordered the assault of a visiting monarch. Such behaviour contradicts the values of honour, diplomacy, and integrity that the Alaafin of Oyo is meant to uphold,” the statement read.
Oba Owoade further stated that only those ignorant of Yoruba history and tradition would believe such stories. He highlighted the prestigious heritage of the Oyo Empire, which stands as one of the oldest and most enduring traditional institutions in Africa, having spanned over 600 years. He noted that the office of the Alaafin is deeply rooted in responsibility, cultural diplomacy, and protection of the Yoruba identity, not rivalry or divisiveness.
He reiterated that his focus remains on the continued development of Oyo town, the advancement of Yoruba cultural values, and the unity of the race both at home and in the diaspora. According to the monarch, the Alaafin’s role is one of peace, vision, and leadership — not petty disputes or imaginary conflicts designed to distract from the more pressing challenges facing the people.
The royal statement concluded by urging the public to ignore the misleading video and its sponsor, describing the attempt as one aimed at sowing discord and tarnishing the image of one of Yorubaland’s most iconic thrones. The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity and sustaining the legacy of the Oyo Empire in modern times.
