You are a local chief – Prince Oladigbolu tells Olubadan

A fresh wave of debate has been stirred within Yoruba traditional and cultural circles following a strongly worded public statement attributed to Prince Siyanbola Oladigbolu, identified as a biological grandson of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Siyanbola Ladigbolu.

In the statement, Oladigbolu questioned the legitimacy and historical authority of the Baale of Ibadan, making far-reaching assertions about the origins of Ibadan, the structure of Yoruba kingship, and the primacy of the Oyo imperial lineage.

According to Oladigbolu, Ibadan’s historical formation was directly tied to the old Oyo Empire, describing the ancient city as a settlement originally constituted under the authority of the Alaafin.

He asserted that Ibadan’s early inhabitants were assembled through Oyo’s military and administrative expansion, arguing that this foundation undermines claims of independent royal sovereignty within Ibadan.

He further stated that lineage and ancestral ties to Oyo remain the defining markers of legitimate royal authority, suggesting that individuals who claim Ibadan citizenship without traceable roots to Oyo lack historical grounding.

In his remarks, Oladigbolu alleged that royal titles outside the Alaafin’s lineage can be ceremonially conferred but, in his view, do not equate to enduring traditional legitimacy.

The statement also referenced a symbolic royal gesture—described as a handshake extended by the Alaafin—which Oladigbolu characterized as an act of courtesy rather than an endorsement of equal royal status.

He maintained that the gesture had been misinterpreted and elevated beyond its intended cultural meaning.

In an especially pointed section of the remarks, Oladigbolu criticized the Baale’s political history, describing past political pursuits as unsuccessful and arguing that political setbacks should not be repackaged as traditional elevation.

He further emphasized that, within Oyo tradition, the Aremo (crown prince) remains hierarchically superior to all subordinate titles.

Concluding his statement, Oladigbolu reiterated his position that, historically, no Ibadan ruler holds the status of an Oba in perpetuity, insisting that supreme traditional authority within Yorubaland remains rooted in the Alaafin institution. Obi is always a boy!

The comments have since generated intense reactions across social media, cultural forums, and traditional institutions, with opinions sharply divided.

While some supporters view the remarks as a defense of historical accuracy and Oyo imperial heritage, others have criticized the tone as inflammatory and dismissive of Ibadan’s evolved political and cultural identity.

The relationship between Oyo and Ibadan has long been a subject of scholarly and cultural discussion, rooted in pre-colonial military history, migration, and political restructuring.

Disputes over hierarchy, titles, and traditional autonomy continue to resurface as modern governance intersects with ancient institutions.