The Alaafin’s Palace has dismissed as false and malicious reports circulating online that His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, was ridiculed and disgraced by the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, during a church thanksgiving service marking his 91st birthday.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the palace clarified that the Alaafin was specially invited as the Royal Father of the occasion and accorded full honours, including a civic reception on arrival, limousine cars, and a specially reserved chair of dignity.
The palace stressed that Chief Igbinedion, who has maintained a long-standing cordial relationship with the Alaafin dynasty, treated the monarch with utmost respect throughout the event.
The statement urged the public to disregard what it described as “fabricated stories” by mischievous bloggers, warning that those spreading falsehoods against the Alaafin were attempting to ridicule the revered institution out of envy.
