Olu of Agboyi’s Brother Accused of Slapping Council Chairman During Political Visit

Olu of Agboyi’s Brother Accused of Slapping Council Chairman During Political Visit

Tensions flared in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA as the brother of the Olu of Agboyi Kingdom, Prince Ibrahim Kehinde Oladega, was accused of physically assaulting the Executive Chairman, Dele Oshinowo, during a recent visit to the monarch’s palace.

In a statement released by the office of the council chairman titled “Setting the Record Straight,” the alleged altercation was described as a provoked confrontation led by Prince Oladega. The visit, according to the statement, was a formal political engagement meant to introduce APC’s local council candidates to traditional rulers, with Oshinowo leading the delegation.

The statement alleged that the prince attempted to deny some members of the delegation access to the monarch’s chambers. When Oshinowo intervened, Prince Oladega allegedly slapped him. It further claimed that the palace’s failure to address the prince’s conduct enabled a pattern of harassment and abuse of power.

However, the palace responded with a strongly worded statement defending the actions of Prince Oladega and accusing Oshinowo of breaching palace protocol.

Signed by the Akogun of Agboyi Kingdom, Chief E.B.O. Ogunseye, the palace described Oshinowo’s version of events as “misleading narratives,” insisting the monarch remained composed and neutral throughout the incident.

According to the palace, the visit was meant to be a private one, limited to five guests and led by the APC chairmanship candidate, Mrs. Tolani Abubakar-Oyedele. The palace clarified that Oshinowo was not among the expected attendees and breached traditional protocols by attempting to access the monarch’s private quarters.

The statement reads:

“The Palace of Olu Agboyi Kingdom has noted with concern the recent remarks by Prince Ibrahim Oladega and the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, regarding an incident at the palace. While we typically avoid public exchanges, the dissemination of inaccuracies compels us to present the facts for the sake of truth and communal harmony.

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It should be noted that the visit of Mrs. Tolani Abubakar-Oyedele was intended to be a private one, with no more than five guests expected and was spearheaded by Prince Oladega Ibrahim Kehinde a task personally given to him by the chairmanship candidate of the APC. The incumbent chairman (Oshinowo) was not listed among the expected attendees; neither does anyone has the right to badge into the private quarters of the king except if invited by the palace guard. However, the palace would have made arrangements to receive the executive chairman, as is customary.

The Olu Agboyi’s composure was misinterpreted as silence; His Royal Majesty embodies wisdom and neutrality. His deliberate restraint during the altercation was a strategic effort to de-escalate tensions and ensure due process, not indifference. Misrepresenting this dignified composure undermines the reverence owed to the throne.

In the absence of the Olu of Agboyi’s aides, Prince Ladega, as a senior royal family member and a worthy prince of the kingdom acted within his authority to uphold decorum when unannounced guests breached protocol, particularly by encroaching on the Olu’s private quarters (Iyewu). While the duty to safeguard the sanctity of the palace remains undisputed, His Majesty and the Chiefs unequivocally condemned the retaliation against the Chairman (Oshinowo). The initial attack on the Prince was shameful and entirely unbefitting of a public office holder. We also denounced the subsequent exchange of slaps involving the Prince (Oladega), as it is a grave taboo to strike royalty within the palace grounds.”

As both parties continue to exchange statements, the incident has sparked public debate about political decorum, respect for traditional institutions and the boundaries between modern governance and cultural protocols.