The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called on Professor Ademola Dasylva to withdraw his comments and publicly apologise over claims that the monarch arrived three hours late to the inauguration of the Alaafin’s Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education in Oyo
In a statement released by the Palace’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch described the allegation as false and irresponsible, insisting that the university had been informed ahead of time about a revised arrival schedule.
According to the Palace, the university initially fixed the Alaafin’s arrival for 11:00 a.m., but officials were later notified that the monarch would be travelling alongside other paramount traditional rulers from outside Oyo State, making an arrival before noon or 1:00 p.m. impossible.
Durojaiye said the updated schedule was communicated well before the event to allow organisers to make the necessary adjustments, adding that it was misleading for anyone to claim the monarch arrived late.
“This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning. To therefore feign surprise and launch into public castigation is either a wilful disregard of facts or a deliberate act of provocation,” he said.
The Palace further explained that the Alaafin’s movements follow established royal protocols and are often coordinated with other traditional rulers, making it unreasonable to expect the royal entourage to follow a timetable set without proper consultation.
It also questioned Professor Dasylva’s basis for making the allegation, noting that he was neither responsible for organising the event nor involved in its protocol arrangements or official communication between the Palace and the university.
“The honourable and scholarly path would have been to inquire from the organisers before rushing to the marketplace of public opinion with insults. A professor of repute is expected to embody circumspection, research and restraint,” Durojaiye stated.
While recognising Dasylva’s contributions to Yoruba scholarship, the Palace maintained that public criticism should be grounded in verified facts and not undermine traditional institutions.
It therefore demanded that the professor retract his remarks and apologise, insisting that the Alaafin attended the event at the agreed time communicated to the organisers.
“The Alaafin did not come late. He came according to schedule, as duly communicated. To say otherwise is to bear false witness,” the statement added.
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