Osun royal social media dispute prompts princes to urge regulation of monarchs’ online conduct to protect Yoruba unity and history

Osun royal social media dispute has prompted princes from three royal families in Iwo to call on the Osun State Government and the Traditional Council to regulate how monarchs use social media platforms, citing concerns about growing online conflicts threatening Yoruba unity.

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At a press conference held in Iwo on Wednesday, the royal representatives, led by Prince Adedoja Osunwo, condemned the ongoing war of words between the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over their respective positions in the traditional hierarchy of Osun State.

Osunwo lamented that such disputes, especially when played out online, erode public respect for the traditional institution and endanger long-standing inter-ethnic harmony.

“The verbal attacks we are witnessing today between the two monarchs are unnecessary. Yoruba unity is of greater importance, particularly at this time when a Yoruba man is leading the nation,” he stated.

He called for the establishment of internal conflict resolution mechanisms and urged the Osun State Traditional Council, chaired by the Ooni of Ife, to step in decisively.

While refraining from assigning blame, Osunwo stressed that disputes over royal rankings should be resolved using existing gazetted historical records, not public social media spats.

According to him, the Oluwo of Iwo occupies the fourth position in the Osun monarchial hierarchy, as officially recorded.

“There is no history that says Oluwo was ever a mere community chief or ‘Baale’,” he added, denouncing what he described as “folktale-based distortions” of historical facts.

The feud escalated recently when Oba Oyetunji, at a lecture marking his 15th coronation anniversary, insisted the Ataoja stool traditionally holds the fourth spot—a claim he said had been misrepresented during a previous reign.

The Oluwo’s camp responded swiftly, accusing the Ataoja of rewriting history and advising him to consult knowledgeable elders for clarity rather than resorting to public confrontations.

As the Osun royal social media dispute deepens, the princes expressed appreciation for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s efforts to de-escalate tensions and commended the Iwo Board of Trustees for their attempts at mediation.

Osunwo concluded with a firm appeal: “The use of social media by traditional rulers must be guided. If left unchecked, it will continue to undermine respect for our revered institutions.”

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Their call reflects wider concern across Yoruba land about the growing trend of monarchs using digital platforms to air personal grievances—often leading to public ridicule and increased division.