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Why Alaafin skipped visit to Ooni during Osun trip, palace explains
The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has explained why the monarch did not visit the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during a recent trip to Osun State.
According to the Alaafin’s camp, the monarch had planned to pay homage to the Ooni as the first stop on his itinerary but was informed that Oba Ogunwusi was not in the country.
Kolade Oladele, personal assistant to the Alaafin, told newsmen that the protocol officer from the Alaafin’s palace reached out ahead of the visit, but was told the Ooni was unavailable.
“We didn’t ignore the Ooni during the visit. We reached out to the palace but were told that Ooni wasn’t around. Ooni’s palace was the first point of call in our initial itinerary, but we had to visit the Oluwo first because of the development,” Oladele said.
Oba Owoade’s eventual visit to the Oluwo on Tuesday generated speculation of a rift between the Alaafin and the Ooni. The tension was heightened by the Oluwo’s subsequent remarks, in which he described the Alaafin as superior to all other traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
The remark came amid long-standing rivalry and claims of supremacy between the traditional institutions in Oyo and Ife.
But Oladele dismissed suggestions of a feud, saying the Alaafin remains focused on promoting unity among the Yoruba.
“I always tell people that there is no rift between Alaafin and the Ooni. Baba (Alaafin) doesn’t have time to begrudge anybody. What is paramount to him is the unity and development of the Yoruba race,” he said.
Oladele added that the monarch would soon pay a courtesy visit to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and to the Ooni.
Similarly, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, said he was aware of the Alaafin’s intention to visit the Ooni before proceeding to the Oluwo.
“I was privy to the arrangement. Alaafin truly wanted to visit Ooni, but Baba was not at home. Alaafin didn’t ignore Ooni at all. The two traditional rulers will work together for the progress and unity of the Yoruba,” Oyelude said.
However, the Ooni’s palace offered a different version of events.
Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at the palace, said there was no formal communication from the Alaafin’s team prior to the trip.
“We were not notified that Alaafin was coming to visit Ooni. Nobody contacted us either through letter or phone call before Baba travelled out of the country.
“What we got was from one of our security operatives, who informed us that somebody called him from the Alaafin’s palace to ask if Baba was around, and he told the person that we were not around,” Olafare said.
Opposition political leaders are converging in Ibadan, Oyo State, for a national summit aimed at strengthening unity and coordination among political parties, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo listed as chair of the meeting.
Multiple reports on Saturday, as monitored by our reporters, showed that leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party and other political parties were gathered in the Pacesetter State.
The summit, to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, is themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” with organisers describing it as a response to Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges.
A statement said that the meeting is serving as a strategic response to the “socio-economic and security challenges currently facing the Federation,” while confirming Obasanjo as chair and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as host.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar confirms his arrival in a post on his Facebook page, writing, “I have just arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the National Summit of all opposition parties.”
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also says, “Excited to arrive in Ibadan… ready for meaningful engagements with fellow national leaders.”
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Lagos State 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, are among early arrivals.
The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening opposition cooperation and charting a coordinated political direction ahead of future elections.
According to the Cable, Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, are expected to speak on the challenges of sustainable democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
A former resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mike Igini, will present a paper on ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, while Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, will discuss building a productive, dynamic and efficient national economy for Nigeria.
Kabir Adamu, security and intelligence expert, will examine “the tragedy of widespread insecurity in Nigeria”.
Organisers say the event is widely viewed by opposition figures as an important move toward building consensus and positioning a credible alternative ahead of future electoral cycles.
Rotimi Amaechi, with the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna were also in attendance.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress, in a separate post on X, alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was planning to disrupt the summit.
“We have uncovered plans by the ruling APC to disrupt the summit being held by the opposition parties in Ibadan, Oyo State, today, the 25th of April.
“After denying us the use of venues in Abuja, they now will not leave us alone to hold our meetings.
“They say they are not scared, but they are behaving like people who are terrified. But we will not be deterred, because we are on the side of the Nigerian people,” the post read.
Online correspondent reports that the APC had yet to respond to the allegation. Efforts to reach the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka were unsuccessful as of press time.
ADC in a separate post also noted the presence of Rotimi Amaechi with the former Deputy Governor of Kano State Nasiru Gawuna, and other senior members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement at the Summit for Opposition Party Leaders.
“The summit sets the stage for a strategic tightening of ties between key political blocs,” the coalition party stated.
The Cable
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, have arrived Ibadan, Oyo State capital, ahead of the National Summit of all opposition parties.
Ex- governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, alongside other opposition heavy weights, are expected in the summit.
They are being hosted by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Atiku, one of the opposition leaders jostling for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the 2027 election, posted the video of his arrival on his Facebook page.
In the video, a large crowd of supporters were seen welcoming the former vice president to Oyo State.
They are being hosted by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Atiku, one of the opposition leaders jostling for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the 2027 election, posted the video of his arrival on his Facebook page.
In the video, a large crowd of supporters were seen welcoming the former vice president to Oyo State.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State chapter, has threatened legal action over alleged attempts to forge and backdate resignation letters of party members who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The PDP Chairman in the state, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, while revealing the move, described the allegation as fraudulent and a clear breach of due process, warning that those behind it would be held accountable.
He confirmed that none of the defectors followed proper procedure by submitting resignation letters to their respective wards before leaving the party.
The PDP chairman further disclosed that the party is prepared to pursue legal action against any individual found culpable in the alleged scheme.
Despite the wave of defections, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) maintained that the PDP in Delta State remains united and structurally strong, expressing confidence in the party’s continued stability across the state.
The attempt to forge and backdate resignation letters is not only illegal but a desperate move that will fail. None of those who defected submitted resignation letters to their wards before the mass defection,” he said.
Just weeks ago, the PDP demanded that the APC state chairman, Chief Solomon Areyinka, vacate the PDP secretariat he occupies immediately.
The PDP further warned that the Delta State Government, which it accused of aiding the occupation, should note that the property’s Certificate of Occupancy remains in the PDP’s name and has not been revoked.
It accused the state government of complicity in what it described as the “illegal and unconstitutional” occupation of its state secretariat by the APC.
The party vowed to explore “every legal avenue” to reclaim the property, especially as some defectors who left for the APC as far back as April 2025 were still allegedly using the party’s bank accounts.
The PDP stated that the secretariat, located on WAEC Road, off Mariam Babangida Way, Asaba, was acquired in its name, with all documents bearing the party’s insignia.
The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Kingsley Akpos Oturubo, said the secretariat was built long before the APC came into existence as a political entity. He described the situation as unprecedented, noting that the APC already maintains a separate state office on Anwai Road.
“Where in this country does a political party have two secretariats in a state?” the statement read. “Chief Solomon Areyinka should know that he is now a member of the APC. The PDP secretariat and all the assets of the party did not defect with him to the APC.”
The statement linked the government’s actions to the PDP’s National Leader, Nyesom Wike, and his pledge to reclaim the party’s mandate in the 2027 elections.
“The state government is doing everything possible to dismantle the structures connected to the PDP National Leader,” the party alleged.
Describing the situation as “an invitation to anarchy,” the PDP called on security agencies to take note. It warned that Chief Areyinka and the state government would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order.
We have already alerted the relevant anti-graft agencies to apprehend these fraudsters,” the statement added.
The party appealed to its faithful to remain calm, while insisting that the ruling APC must accept constructive criticism and abandon any dream of a one-party state in Delta.
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