The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has denied vacating his seat for the General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye at the church’s evangelism programme at Orile-Igbon on Friday, December 22.
Criticism had trailed a photo which circulated on social media at the weekend showing the priest sitting on a royal chair on which the monarch’s name and title were inscribed at the event.
Some people argued that the photo showed that Oba Alao surrendered his throne to the preacher, describing it as an insult to Yoruba culture.
But in a statement in which he also felicitated Christians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas, the monarch took cognizance of the social media brouhaha, explaining that the said chair was only one of the royal chairs in the palace that are offered top dignitaries such as presidents, governors and persons of Pastor Adeboye’s status.
He pointed out that his name and title are inscribed on all those royal chairs.
The monarch said there was no need to misinterpret a simple act of giving honour to whom it is due, stressing that his personal traditional chair cannot be given to any other person due to its spiritual and historical significance.
The 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.
“Aside eating and drinking to celebrate his birth, Christmas is a time to make a new commitment to ensuring that our lives mirror Christ in every way. We should make commitment to a life of righteousness, honesty and showing love to fellow men regardless of their faith and cultural beliefs.
“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.
“Let me set the record straight by reminding all that Pastor Adeboye was in Orile-Igbon for an evangelism programme which held on the playground of Olugbon High School. His chopper landed in an open space within the palace from where I received him to my living room.
“We spent some time talking about Nigeria and Orile-Igbon before we moved to the venue of the programme where thousands of people already gathered.
“I joined the reverred 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 that attended.
“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 can not be shared with anyone because of its spiritual and historical significance.
“The royal chairs are provided in palaces to honour high-ranking dignitaries, not to desecrate the throne.
“I, therefore, seek understanding of all those expressing concern about the issue. 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. I thank all well-wishers for their understanding and support.”
