The Alaafin of Oyo Palace has refuted claims that the coronation of Oba Akeem Abimbola Akanni Owoade could be jeopardized due to the unknown whereabouts of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Osun State.
In a statement on Tuesday, Palace spokesperson Bode Durojaiye dismissed the report as false and misleading, labeling it an attempt to disrupt the coronation ceremony and spread misinformation. Durojaiye clarified that there is no historical precedent requiring the Apetumodu to present a sword of authority for the Alaafin’s ascension.
“For record purposes,” Durojaiye explained, “the Alaafin’s traditional rites involve visits to the Baba Iyaji, Ona Isokun, Ona Onimole, and Ona Mogba Sango for spiritual fortification, followed by a stay at Ipebi for main rites. The sword of authority is received from a designated house in the Ajagba area—not from the Ipetumodu monarch.”
Durojaiye urged the public to disregard the misleading report, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation, particularly in the digital age. He called on Oyo indigenes to unite against disruptive narratives intended to derail the community’s progress and the smooth execution of the coronation.
