The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has provided clarity on why the monarch did not pay a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during his recent official trip to Osun State.
Contrary to speculation, the palace explained that Oba Owoade had planned to make the Ooni’s palace his first stop, but the visit was shelved after being informed that the Ooni was out of the country at the time.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Alaafin’s Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, said the decision not to visit was based purely on the Ooni’s unavailability.
“We didn’t snub the Ooni. Our protocol team contacted his palace ahead of the visit and we were told that Kabiyesi was not in the country. The Ooni’s palace was initially scheduled as the first stop on our itinerary,” Oladele explained.
He added that in light of the information received, the Alaafin redirected his visit to the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo instead.
