The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has demanded an apology and retraction from Professor Ademola Dasylva after the scholar alleged the monarch arrived three hours late to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.
In a statement, the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, called the professor’s remarks “reckless” and said the monarch’s arrival followed a schedule already communicated to organisers in advance.
Durojaiye said the university had originally proposed 11:00 a.m. for the Alaafin’s arrival, but the palace’s Director of Administration informed the school beforehand that the monarch would be travelling alongside other paramount rulers from outside Oyo State — and that the entourage would not arrive before noon or 1:00 p.m.
“This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning. To therefore feign surprise and launch into public castigation is either a wilful disregard of facts or a deliberate act of provocation,” the statement read.
The palace argued that royal movement follows established protocol and coordination with other traditional rulers, and that it was unreasonable to expect an imperial procession to fit a timetable drawn up without full consultation.
Durojaiye also questioned Dasylva’s standing to comment, noting the professor was neither the event’s convener nor part of the protocol team, and had no direct knowledge of communications between the palace and the university.
“The honourable and scholarly path would have been to inquire from the organisers before rushing to the marketplace of public opinion with insults. A professor of repute is expected to embody circumspection, research and restraint,” Durojaiye said.
While acknowledging Dasylva’s contributions to Yoruba scholarship, the palace insisted criticism must rest on verified facts and warned against attacks on Yoruba traditional institutions. It formally demanded a retraction and apology.
“The Alaafin did not come late. He came according to schedule, as duly communicated. To say otherwise is to bear false witness,” the statement added.
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