Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has apologised to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, for a statement he made during his visit to the Ooni of Ife’s palace.
In a video late Saturday, Igboho dismissed the claims that he insulted Oba Owoade, saying, “I have nothing to gain in abusing the Alaafin.”
The Yoruba nation agitator insisted that his remarks at the Ooni’s palace were self-praise from his lineage’s traditional eulogy.
He maintained that he holds the Alaafin in high esteem, describing him as an essential ruler in Yorubaland,
Igboho clarified that his reference to the Alaafin not having a crown was not intended as an insult, but as part of his family’s praise chant, which was well-known to Oba Owoade himself.
He maintained that he intends to promote peace and unity among Yoruba monarchs, not to stir conflict.
His words, “My father, Olugbon, called me and explained to me that our father, Alaafin of Oyo, said I was abusing him when I was at the Ooni of Ife’s palace. I was not abusing you; why would I be abusing you? Olugbon is not a small king in Yoruba land, and if he corrects me on something, I will definitely make amendments immediately.
“Alaafin is not a small king in Yoruba land to whom someone like me can talk. I am also from Oyo. That’s how they normally eulogise us in my lineage, which the Alaafin is also aware of.
“They would say, ‘Lade Lade Lade, Alaafin doesn’t have a crown, it is the crown of Aladikun that was collected for Alaafin’. That’s how they eulogise us in our Aladikun lineage.
“Ooni of Ife is a peaceful person; if not, I have abused him before, and when I entered his palace, they were still eulogising me in his presence, and he didn’t say anything.
“So I also eulogised myself as a true son of Aladikun. All these things did not annoy the Ooni of Ife. He still celebrated me and called other powerful monarchs to honour and pray for me.
“I have nothing to gain in abusing Alaafin. I’m after peace to reign among our kings; that is our prayer. Please, forgive me, I dare not disrespect you.”