Timi of Edeland defends kneeling to greet Emir of Ilorin
The palace of His Majesty, Oba Dr. Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, the Timi of Edeland, has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral video showing the monarch kneeling to greet the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, during a wedding ceremony in Ilorin.
The statement, signed by the monarch’s media assistant, Tijani Abdulraheem Adekilekun, clarified the context of the interaction, emphasizing that the gesture was an act of respect rather than a denigration of the Timi’s revered throne.
The video, recorded at the wedding of Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa’s son, sparked diverse reactions online, with some expressing concern over the perceived implications for the Timi’s stool.
The palace noted that the Emir, possibly due to age or personal reasons, remained seated throughout the event, prompting Oba Lawal to bend for clearer communication.
Some stakeholders in Yorubaland have criticised Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, for kneeling to greet the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
A viral video has shown the Osun monarch, bowing, kneeling and revering his Kwara counterpart.
Yoruba indigenes and culture promoters have been debating the development while some expressed displeasure at the decision of Oba Lawal to have stopped in exchanging pleasantries with his fellow traditional ruler.
Many described Lawal’s act as a desecration of Yoruba royal dignity.
Reacting to the viral video, a Nigerian writer and columnist who hails from Osun State, Tunde Odesola, lambasted the monarch in a strongly-worded statement.
He lamented the apparent erosion of cultural pride and the symbolic subjugation of Yoruba traditional authority to Northern aristocracy
According to him, “The great Timi Agbale of Ede, Alayeluwa Adesola Munirudeen Lawal, the Laminisa I, kneeling to greet an emir. Kabiyesi ooooo, ki didinrin pe lori, ki irinkunrin pe lese, ki ijekuje pe lenu.
“Long may the king live in stupidity. Long may the beaded crown reign in shame. The Timi’s arrow of fire has turned into a straw for sipping ogogoro. O ma se o. As Baba Wande Abimbola would say, “Nkan se wa.”
“Why is Osun blessed with the most terrible kings? I miss the late Timi of Ede, Oba Tijani Oladokun Ajagbe Oyewusi, the Agbonran II (1976-2008) That was a king.”
The incident has reignited debates about the status of Yoruba monarchs and their interactions with counterparts from other regions.
Some critics argue that Oba Lawal’s action undermines the rich cultural heritage of Edeland and, by extension, the Yoruba race.
A House of Representatives aspirant, Fayemi Olatunbosun, opined that the monarch chose to “rewrite history.”
Olatunbosun who contested in the general elections to represent the people of Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency in the House of Assembly in Osun State, remarked, “Seem the Timi of Ede, choose to re-write the Story…. May Alalë of Yoruba race heal our land…”
However, supporters of the Timi suggest the gesture was a mark of respect rather than submission, urging the public to avoid misinterpreting the cultural exchange.
Watch video below.
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