The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, did not attend the opening ceremony of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Oyo State, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Governor Seyi Makinde, followed by a goodwill message from the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Edward Ogundoyin.
Oyo State was established on February 3, 1976, during the military administration of the late General Murtala Mohammed, with Brigadier David Jemibewon appointed as its pioneer military governor.
Several traditional rulers were present at the ceremony, including the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
However, the designated seat for the Alaafin remained unoccupied, further fuelling public perception of strained relations between the two foremost monarchs.
The development comes against the backdrop of a recent public encounter between the Alaafin and the Olubadan at the 2026 interfaith gathering held at the Grand Space near the Oyo State House of Assembly. Their interaction at the event attracted widespread attention.
Footage from the gathering, which later circulated widely on social media, captured the moment the Olubadan moved toward his seat beside the Alaafin, who had arrived earlier and was already seated.
The Alaafin was seen extending his hand in greeting, but the gesture went unreciprocated, leading him to withdraw his hand.
In the aftermath of the incident, a coalition of leaders, including monarchs, mogajis, baales and notable Ibadan indigenes, released a statement condemning what they described as an act of disrespect toward Ibadan’s traditional institutions.
The group maintained that Ibadanland is not subordinate to the Alaafin and further argued that extending a handshake while seated was contrary to accepted traditional etiquette.
