Alaafin Replies UI Don Over Three-Hour Delay Claim at Yoruba Studies Institute Event

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has responded to criticism by University of Ibadan professor, Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva, over claims that he arrived more than three hours late to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies.

The monarch, through a statement issued on Saturday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, rejected the allegation, insisting that his arrival followed an adjusted schedule that had already been communicated to the organisers before the event.

The palace also demanded a public retraction and apology from the professor, describing his remarks as reckless, misleading and unbefitting of an academic.

The controversy followed comments by Dasylva, who criticised the monarch for allegedly keeping invited guests waiting for several hours without offering an apology during the inauguration held at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.

According to the palace, the university initially proposed 11:00 a.m. as the Alaafin’s arrival time. However, it said the institution was officially informed that the monarch would arrive between noon and 1:00 p.m. because he was travelling with other paramount traditional rulers from outside Oyo State.

The palace explained that the revised schedule was communicated in advance through its Director of Administration to enable organisers make the necessary adjustments.

It maintained that the Alaafin’s movements were governed by royal protocol and coordination with other traditional rulers, stressing that he could not be treated like an ordinary guest attending a public function.

The palace further faulted Dasylva for criticising the monarch without first verifying the facts with the organisers or palace officials.

It argued that, as a scholar, the professor should have exercised caution and sought clarification before making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of a revered traditional institution.

Defending the monarch’s presence at the event, the palace said the Alaafin’s attendance represented the highest endorsement the institute could receive, describing him as the symbolic and spiritual leader of the Yoruba people.

It added that despite his demanding schedule, the monarch attended the inauguration because of his commitment to promoting Yoruba culture, education and scholarship.

The palace concluded that the Alaafin arrived according to the revised programme already communicated to organisers, insisting that reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate and called on public commentators to verify information before criticising traditional institutions.