A Nigerian lawyer has added a sharp legal and social perspective to the viral incident involving the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I.
The controversy erupted after a video showed Oba Ladoja refusing to acknowledge a handshake from the seated Alaafin at a public event in Ibadan, sparking debates on royal protocol and historical supremacy.
In a pointed reaction, the lawyer framed the incident as a lesson in contemporary respect and shifting power dynamics, directing his advice squarely at the Alaafin.
“Respect is Earned, Not Enforced”
The lawyer's core argument centered on the nature of respect. “I think someone should tell the Alaafin of Oyo that respect begets respect. It cannot be compelled. Genuine respect is earned, not enforced. You only attract respect by showing respect,” he stated.
Applying this principle to the event, he concluded, “In that light, Oba Owoade can hardly complain about the snub from the Olubadan, Oba Ladoja.”
A Call to Recognize Modern Realities
Moving beyond the immediate etiquette, the commentary delivered a broader critique of historical hierarchies. The lawyer urged a recognition of present-day political structures, which have significantly altered the traditional landscape.
“Someone should also remind the Alaafin that he is no longer living in the past. This is the 21st century. Traditional power dynamics have changed,” he asserted.
He highlighted the diminished temporal power of traditional rulers within Nigeria's modern governance framework, adding a stark reminder: “Today, even an ordinary local government chairman can depose a monarch. Times have changed. And they are still changing…”
Context of the Dispute
The lawyer’s intervention follows a formal protest by Ibadan traditional chiefs, who condemned the Alaafin’s attempt to offer a handshake while remaining seated as a profound act of disrespect to the Olubadan stool. They have called on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.
The legal professional’s remarks shift the discourse from purely cultural protocol to a discussion on the evolving sources of authority and the necessity for mutual deference in a modern constitutional democracy. His statement suggests that traditional influence in the present era is sustained more by consensus and mutual respect than by enforced homage to historical supremacy.
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