The palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State has issued a stern warning to the general public over what it described as growing incidents of disrespectful modes of address directed at the traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II.
In a statement released on Friday, the palace stressed that the monarch must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, warning that any deviation from this standard would no longer be tolerated. The statement was issued on behalf of the palace by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi.
According to the palace, some individuals have recently been addressing the king with casual terms such as “bro” or “blood”, actions it described as deliberate attempts to undermine the dignity of the throne under the guise of familiarity.
“I write in my capacity as Amb. Prince Adefemi Michael Olorunfemi, Chief of Staff to the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, to address an important matter that requires the attention of the general public,” the statement read. “Kindly note that Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times. Any other form of address is unacceptable.”
The palace emphasised that the relatively young age of the monarch should not be misconstrued as an invitation to disrespect. Oba Akinghare, now 22, is widely regarded as the youngest traditional ruler in Yoruba land.
“The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yoruba land does not give room for disrespect in any form,” the statement said. “Addressing our revered monarch with terms such as ‘bro,’ ‘blood,’ or any casual or demeaning expressions is highly inappropriate and will no longer be tolerated.”
Prince Olorunfemi warned that continued disregard for palace protocol would attract “strong and decisive measures”, adding that the monarch’s calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness.
“His Majesty’s leniency and calm disposition should not be taken as permission to do the wrong thing. Especially for those who call themselves Yoruba, we should know better. Culture, tradition, and respect for constituted authority are values we must uphold at all times,” he said.
The statement further stressed that respect for the monarch is non-negotiable, regardless of a person’s age, status or social standing. It described the king as Igbakeji awon orisa — the representative of the gods on earth — and noted that the throne he occupies is sacred.
Oba Akinghare ascended the throne at the age of 16 while still a secondary school student, following the death of his father, who was the previous monarch of the town. As the only son among four children, tradition required him to automatically succeed his father. The kingmakers swiftly installed him as ruler, with the Ondo State Government subsequently approving the choice.
The palace called on residents of Okeluse Kingdom and the wider public to uphold the dignity of the throne, stressing that respect for the monarch remains central to the preservation of Yoruba culture, tradition and identity.
