The attack on Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, Dele Oshinowo, in the palace of the Olu of Agboyi kingdom has drawn reaction from the monarch, Oba Monsuru Oladega.
Oba Oladega’s younger brother, Prince Ibrahim Kehinde Oladega, was alleged to have hit Oshinowo in the face during a visit to the palace, of a delegation of All Progressives Congress on a campaign mission ahead of the coming council election in the state.
The account from the victim’s side accused Oba Oladega of complicit in the attack.
But a statement released by the palace denied the charge and levelled breach of palace protocols and unruly behavior against Oshinowo.
The statement, which reads thus also attributed the assault allegation against Prince Oladega to extenuating circumstances: ‘’The Palace of Olu Agboyi Kingdom has noted with concern the recent remarks by Prince Ibrahim Oladega and the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, regarding an incident at the palace. While we typically avoid public exchanges, the dissemination of inaccuracies compels us to present the facts for the sake of truth and communal harmony.
‘’It should be noted that the visit of Mrs. Tolani Abubakar-Oyedele was intended to be a private one, with no more than five guests expected and was spearheaded by Prince Oladega Ibrahim Kehinde a task personally given to him by the chairmanship candidate of the APC. The incumbent chairman (Oshinowo) was not listed among the expected attendees; neither does anyone has the right to badge into the private quarters of the king except if invited by the palace guard. However, the palace would have made arrangements to receive the executive chairman, as is customary.
“The Olu Agboyi’s composure was misinterpreted as silence; His Royal Majesty embodies wisdom and neutrality. His deliberate restraint during the altercation was a strategic effort to de-escalate tensions and ensure due process, not indifference. Misrepresenting this dignified composure undermines the reverence owed to the throne.
“In the absence of the Olu of Agboyi’s aides, Prince Ladega, as a senior royal family member and a worthy prince of the kingdom acted within his authority to uphold decorum when unannounced guests breached protocol, particularly by encroaching on the Olu’s private quarters (Iyewu). While the duty to safeguard the sanctity of the palace remains undisputed, His Majesty and the Chiefs unequivocally condemned the retaliation against the Chairman (Oshinowo). The initial attack on the Prince was shameful and entirely unbefitting of a public office holder. We also denounced the subsequent exchange of slaps involving the Prince (Oladega), as it is a grave taboo to strike royalty within the palace grounds.”
