Pastor Adeboye didn’t sit on my throne, Oba of Orile-Igbon clears air

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon in Oyo state, Oba Francis Alao, has reacted to the controversy generated by a photo of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), sitting on one of his palace chairs.

The photo, which went viral on social media, showed Pastor Adeboye on the chair while the monarch and his wife stood beside him. Many Nigerians criticised the cleric for disrespecting the Yoruba culture and tradition by occupying the royal seat.

However, in a press statement issued on December 26, 2023, Oba Alao explained that the chair was not his throne, but a ceremonial one that he offered to Pastor Adeboye as a mark of honour.

He said Pastor Adeboye was in Orile-Igbon for an evangelism programme, which held on the playground of Olugbon High School. He added that he received the pastor in his living room and accompanied him to the venue of the programme as a mark of support.

He said: “As a mark of honour, I offered one of the ceremonial royal chairs that are usually reserved for top dignitaries to Pastor Adeboye to be used at the programme. 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 further stated that the royal chairs are provided in palaces to honour high-ranking dignitaries, not to desecrate the throne. He appealed to those expressing concern about the issue to understand the context and intention behind the gesture.

He said: “There is a traditional royal chair that is meant for only the Kabiyesi, and there are traditional ceremonial chairs for very important persons. The throne of the ancient town of Orile-Igbon remains sacrosanct.”

Oba Alao, who was an ordained RCCG pastor before ascending his father’s throne, also said that Pastor Adeboye prayed for the town and everyone who attended the programme.

He said: “I joined the revered priest to the venue as a mark of support for the programme given that his coming to the ancient town will be a blessing to us. And he did pray for both the town and everyone who attended.”

The monarch’s statement came after several news reports and social media posts condemned Pastor Adeboye for sitting on the throne of a prominent Yoruba monarch. Some even called for the dethronement of Oba Alao for allowing such an act to happen in his palace.