The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has hit back at a University of Ibadan professor who accused him of keeping guests waiting for more than three hours at a major university event, insisting he arrived exactly when organisers expected him.
The royal row erupted after Prof. Ademola Dasylva claimed the monarch showed disrespect by turning up at 12:20 p.m. for the inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies at the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, despite the programme listing his arrival for 9:55 a.m.
In an article published on the Toyin Falola Network, Dasylva alleged that guests, including top dignitaries, were left stranded for hours without entertainment or explanation.
He also faulted the Alaafin for failing to apologise, saying such behaviour was beneath the revered Yoruba throne.
But the Palace has fiercely rejected the accusation.
In a blistering statement on Saturday, the Alaafin’s media aide, Bode Durojaiye, described the professor’s claims as false, reckless and insulting to the royal institution.
He insisted the Palace had informed the university ahead of the event that the monarch, who was travelling with other paramount traditional rulers from outside Oyo State, would not arrive before noon.
According to him, organisers were duly notified to adjust their programme, meaning the Alaafin arrived exactly as scheduled.
The Palace also accused Dasylva of rushing to condemn the monarch without checking the facts, stressing that the professor had no role in organising the event and was not aware of the correspondence between the university and the Palace.
Durojaiye said dragging the Alaafin into public ridicule over his arrival time was “culturally injurious” and ignored the dignity of the ancient throne.
He demanded that Dasylva withdraw his claims and apologise, declaring that the Alaafin “did not come late” but honoured the schedule agreed with organisers.
The professor had yet to respond to the Palace’s fiery rebuttal at the time of filing this report.
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