Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has denied claims that he insulted the Alaafin of Oyo during his weekend visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Reacting to reports sparked by comments he made at the Ooni’s palace on Saturday, Igboho insisted that his words were misinterpreted, stressing that he regarded the Alaafin as a father figure and a foremost monarch in Yorubaland.
In a viral video on Saturday night, Igboho said, “My father, the Olugbon, called me and said the Alaafin felt I insulted him when I visited the Ooni. I want to make it clear that I never abused the Alaafin. I can’t and I won’t. The Alaafin is not a small monarch in Yorubaland. I am from Oyo, and the Alaafin is my father.”
Explaining the circumstances, Igboho stated that the confusion arose from traditional praise singing during his palace visit.
“When I visited the Ooni, the drummers and singers praised me with my family heritage. I only added to it. I said Ooni is a father of peace.
“I was surprised when he still welcomed me warmly, celebrated me and prayed for me despite all that had happened before. That was what I was emphasising. I didn’t insult the Alaafin,” he clarified.
The activist noted that the self-praise, or oríkì, was a long-standing cultural practice and not an act of disrespect.
“I can’t abuse Alaafin. I am his son. Even when I visited him, I greeted myself with the same oriki. That is how we do in our family compound.
“If my words were misunderstood, I ask for forgiveness. I never meant to insult the Alaafin,” Igboho added.
Reiterating his loyalty to Yoruba tradition, Igboho stressed that he would never speak ill of any monarch, noting that harmony among royal fathers was crucial for the unity of the Yoruba nation
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