Olugbon of Orile-Igbon Denies Vacating Throne for Pastor Adeboye, Clarifies Royal Chair Usage.
The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has dismissed claims that he vacated his throne for the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, during a church evangelism program on Friday, December 22.
Criticism emerged after a photo circulated on social media, depicting the priest seated on a royal chair with the monarch’s name and title inscribed at the event. Some argued that the image suggested Oba Alao yielded his throne to the preacher, considering it an affront to Yoruba culture.
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In response, Oba Francis Alao issued a statement addressing the social media controversy, emphasizing that the chair in question was one of several royal chairs in the palace reserved for esteemed dignitaries, including presidents, governors, and individuals of Pastor Adeboye’s status. The monarch clarified that all these chairs bear his name and title.
The Olugbon emphasized that the act was a simple gesture of honoring someone of high stature and should not be misinterpreted. He stressed that his personal traditional chair, with its spiritual and historical significance, cannot be given to anyone else.
The monarch’s statement read: “I hereby felicitate Christians on this another occasion of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is a worldwide celebration… I urge all followers of Christ in Nigeria to use this period to reflect on the multiple blessings of God, particularly the grace to be alive to witness another Christmas.
He continued, “Meanwhile, my attention has been drawn to different types of reactions to a photo circulating on social media where the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye sat on one of the palace chairs.
The Olugbon clarified the circumstances, explaining that Pastor Adeboye was in Orile-Igbon for an evangelism program held on the playground of Olugbon High School. He shared details of the event, including conversations with Pastor Adeboye about Nigeria and Orile-Igbon before the program.
“As a mark of honor, I offered one of the ceremonial royal chairs that are usually reserved for top dignitaries to Pastor Adeboye to be used at the program. It should be noted that the chair is not the particular one that is reserved for the Olugbon, which cannot be shared with anyone because of its spiritual and historical significance.”
He concluded by thanking well-wishers for their understanding and support, reiterating the sanctity of the ancient town’s throne and ceremonial chairs.
