Alaafin bound by oath , tradition, not personal dispute, says Dr Agunbiade in open letter

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Akeem to Owoade I, has been described as a steadfast custodian of ancient Yoruba tradition whose actions are guided strictly by oath, ritual, and history, rather than by personal sentiment or controversy.

The clarification was contained in an open letter authored by Babajide Agunbiade, Ph.D, FNSE, HM, The Atóbaáse of Yoruba Land, and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Energy, in which he addressed the cultural, historical, and sworn obligations binding the Alaafin of Oyo and cautioned against misinterpretation of sacred traditions.

The open letter follows recent public commentary surrounding an inter-faith gathering in Oyo State, where certain interpretations—particularly claims of a perceived “snub”—have gained traction in public discourse. According to the letter, such interpretations misrepresent both the intent and the sacred responsibilities attached to the Alaafin’s stool.

It was emphasized that at no time has the Alaafin shown disrespect to any traditional ruler, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Any assumption of discourtesy, the letter stated, ignores the deeply rooted oaths, rituals, and rites of the Alaafin’s institution—traditions that are over a thousand years old and remain binding on every occupant of the throne.

The letter further explained that Alaafin’s actions are always bound by sacred rites, including the seven-day traditional observances known as oro, which Alaafin swears to abide by before ascending the throne. These observances impose strict limitations on conduct, including prohibitions on standing or making certain gestures of greeting, regardless of rank, personality, or status. These rites, it noted, are not optional nor selectively applied, but absolute obligations sworn to upon ascension to the throne.

Accordingly, the Alaafin’s conduct at the event was not driven by pride, rivalry, or disrespect, but by unwavering fidelity to tradition. To expect otherwise, the letter argued, would amount to demanding that the Alaafin compromise the sanctity of an institution that predates modern Nigeria itself.

The situation, according to the author, should prompt sober reflection among the Yoruba people and the wider Nigerian public on whether ancestral institutions, cultural hierarchy, and time-honoured traditions are still valued, or whether they are being sacrificed for fleeting public sentiment and social media narratives.

As the historic guardian of Yoruba civilization, diplomacy, and cultural continuity, the Alaafin of Oyo does not act on impulse or personal emotion. The open letter stressed that those who criticize his conduct out of ignorance or mischief must understand that the Alaafin is not merely an individual monarch, but the living embodiment of an ancient institution governed by immutable customs.

The Alaafin was also described as the heir to the legacy of the Oyo Empire—one of the greatest political formations in West African history. From the 14th to the 19th centuries, the empire unified vast Yoruba territories, projected military power, institutionalized governance, and spread Yoruba culture, religion, and political systems across present-day Nigeria and Benin. Its influence shaped regional diplomacy, trade, and identity, leaving an enduring imprint on Yorubaland and beyond.

According to the letter, respect for the Alaafin is therefore respect for this history—not as an assertion of superiority over other thrones, but as recognition of distinct roles within a shared cultural heritage.

As the most supreme king in Yorubaland, the Alaafin seeks peace, harmony, and mutual respect among all Yoruba traditional institutions. He harbours no ill will toward any king and remains faithful only to the sacred trust handed down through centuries.

The letter concluded with a call for understanding, noting that tradition must not be misunderstood, fidelity must not be mistaken for arrogance, and silence must not be misread as hostility.

Dr. Babajide Agunbiade is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a businessman, and a philanthropist known for his contributions to the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Energy Resources and one of only 13 subject-matter experts globally in subsea production systems, according to Wikipedia.