The media team in the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Friday said the new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, did not abandon the traditional rites midway.
According to a member of the Alaafin palace media team, Bode Durojaiye, the media report alleging that the new Alaafin of abandoned traditional rites was not only misleading, but also grossly mischievous.
Mr Durojaye emphasised that the headline of the said story “is intentionally slanted to be at variance with the body of the story, which is unfair to the Alaafin throne”.
He stressed that there is no way the new Alaafin could have put on hold the traditional rites he has not started, saying, “Oba Owoade has not started the traditional rites that will lead to his coronation on April 4, 2025, and as such he couldn’t have abandoned it midway for Canada.
“The attention of the media team to the Alaafin designate, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has been drawn to a report with the headline, “Alaafin: Owoade puts traditional rites on hold, returns to Canada”, he said.
Mr Durojaye added, “This is not only misleading, but also grossly mischievous. The headline is intentionally slanted to be at variance with the body of the story, which is unfair to the Alaafin Throne.
“Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade couldn’t have put on hold the traditional rites he has not started. Oba Akeem Owoade, has yet to begin the month-long traditional rites to pave the way for his coronation.”
He stressed, “I wish to state categorically and emphatically that Oba Owoade has not started the traditional rites that will lead to his coronation on April 4, 2025. So he couldn’t have abandoned it midway for Canada.
“More so, the Oyo state government is sufficiently aware of the movement and whereabouts of the Alaafin. The state government is being adequately carried along and in agreement on this issue and others.”
Mr Durojaye noted,” Let it be known that traditional rites can’t be suspended or put on hold once the process commences. Tradition does not permit that. It MUST be completed. It cannot be shifted or broken.
“Kabiyesi’s trip is within the timeframe allowed by his coronation on April 4, 2025. Oba Owoade only returned to his Canada base to officially put things in proper order in his workplaces and other engagements in Canada”.
