The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, had a silent public face-off with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, after the former Governor shunned a handshake from his fellow monarch.
In a statement, Ibadan title traditional holders considered an affront for a younger monarch in his 40s to disrespect their king, a man of affluence in his 80s who had been a Governor and Senator.
Videos of the Monday, January 12, event, which have since gone viral, show the Olubadan, former Oyo State’s Governor Rashidi Ladoja, walking towards his seat beside the Alaafin, who had arrived earlier and was already seated.
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, ARUSA 1 Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ignores a handshake 🤝 from Alaafin of Oyo Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1. The moment quickly went viral sparking discussions. Now, many people are wondering if it was done on purpose or accidentally missed handshake. pic.twitter.com/2v30fOfSGh
— Iamowolabi (@Iamowolabi01) January 12, 2026
The two monarchs were among dignitaries attending the 2026 inter-faith prayer service organised by Oyo State Government at the Grand Space near the Oyo State House of Assembly complex, Ibadan, the state capital.
As Ladoja approached, Owoade extended his hand for a handshake, which the Olubadan ignored, prompting the Alaafin to withdraw his hand.
The Alaafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers were already seated and the Olubadan had on arriving at the venue gone to exchange greetings with Governor Seyi Makinde before moving to the other side of the pavilion where monarchs had already taken their seats.
A seat had been reserved for the Ibadan monarch next to that of the Alaafin and on getting there, other monarchs rose from their seats to greet him.
However, the Alaafin remained seated and extended his hand for a handshake, which Oba Ladoja however ignored.
Reacting to the incident on Monday night, the Ibadan Traditional Stakeholders (ITS) comprising monarchs, Mogajis, Baales, and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland cautioned Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, against any form of disrespect to the revered stool of the Olubadan and the Ibadan traditional institution.
[email protected] learned that the ITS in a statement jointly signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, noted that the people of the town are fully prepared to decisively address any act capable of bringing disrepute to the Ibadan traditional institution.
Their statement said: “The continued disrespect to the stool of Olubadan and the Ibadan traditional institution by the Alaafin is becoming intolerable. If Governor Seyi Makinde fails to caution him and Ibadan people are pushed into reacting, the Alaafin will regret his actions.
“We have records of repeated uncultured behaviour towards Ibadan traditional stools. This must stop. Ibadanland will not tolerate further aggravation.
“Ibadan people are not cowards. We are fearless, but we have chosen restraint in the interest of peace.
“Our culture and tradition are sacred. Anything capable of ridiculing them will be firmly resisted.
“The Alaafin cannot come to our territory, sit down, and stretch out his hand to greet our highly revered 82-year-old Olubadan.
“Oba Ladoja is a former Senator, a former Governor, an international figure, and a successful businessman.
“The Alaafin may choose not to greet the Olubadan, but stretching out his hand while seated is an insult to the entire Ibadan traditional institution.
“Ibadanland has never been subordinate to the Alaafin.”
