By Charles Pemu 
A moment of awkwardness between two of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional rulers over the weekend has stirred controversy and sparked calls for unity within the region’s royal institutions.
At the West Africa Economic Summit held on Saturday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, an interaction between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, went viral—appearing to show tension or coldness between the two monarchs.
In response, the President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), Aare Hassan Oladotun, decried what he described as a “brazen disregard” for Yoruba tradition and values. He expressed concern that the incident, if not addressed, could damage the credibility and harmony of the region’s revered traditional institutions.
“It is painful to witness our royal fathers acting in a way that contradicts our cherished customs,” Oladotun said. “This incident calls for immediate dialogue and a standardized code of conduct among monarchs to preserve unity and respect.”
However, in swift reaction, the Ooni’s Palace refuted claims of a rift. In a statement released on Sunday by Moses Olafare, spokesperson to Oba Ogunwusi, the palace clarified that the interaction was cordial and the viral clip had been misleadingly edited.
“The Alaafin respectfully approached the Ooni to exchange greetings upon arrival. Both monarchs shared jokes before proceeding to the main hall. The video circulating online omits this vital context,” Olafare explained.
He further blamed the misleading narrative on content published by Oyo Legacies, a media affiliate of the Oyo palace.
Both traditional rulers were seated in the VIP lounge prior to the event, before joining President Bola Tinubu and other dignitaries inside the summit hall.
The incident, while brief, has reignited discussion about unity among Yoruba leaders and the importance of managing royal optics in the digital age.