By Ishaya Ibrahim
A handshake between Nollywood veteran, Pete Edochie, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has triggered a flood of reactions on social media.
While some felt the handshake disrespected the Ooni, others argue there’s no disrespect.
The Ooni is considered the most revered traditional ruler among Yoruba monarchs.
On Twitter, many who commented sharply took sides based on their ethnicity, triggering an Igbo versus Yoruba debate on how a traditional ruler ought to be treated.
@olakunle_don said: “Ooni to me must have relegated this position to the Mud. He simply ought to have used his irukere(Horse shaft) to wave at Edoche. But, well am not the Ooni and am not the tradition. But, it is wrong for Ooni to shake Edocihe.”
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@olamide_lmd said: “Well as a prince of Ile ife, I think it’s time to admonish my father and brother, HIM OBA Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja11, the Ooni of Ile ife and king of the Yorubas to stay in the palace and not honor every invitation. Anybody that wants to see him should go to the palace.”
@ReformerOluseun said: “Nothing wey see Finish no fit cause. I believe na See finish cause this Specific one sha. If Pete Edochie met Ooni in the Palace, he won’t be allowed to walk to shake Ooni as greetings.”
@TAIWOISAACABIOD said: “It was an aberration to greet Onirisa in standing posture. Could he do such with Oba of Benin without being reprimanded?”
But others countered.
@chimaob00448343 said: “A tradition is only meant to be practised by people that embraced it. Yoruba tradition has nothing to do with an Igbo man.”
@decentRBL said: “He is Ooni of Ife, not Ooni of Nigeria. What reason should Pete Edochie bow for him at a social event? If you guys want everyone to bow for him, he should remain in his palace.”
@Kingdons2020 said: “Whose tradition? Ife tradition or Igbo tradition? He is Ooni of Ife not King of Nigeria. His territory is in Ife. Outside Ife, he is a man just like any other person and will be greeted according to the general mode of greeting. End of Discussion.”
@AbdulMahmud01 said: “Have just watched the video of the Ooni of Ife and Pete Edochie. Those who advance the arguments that Pete disrespected the Ooni for not prostrating miss the point about cultural relativism. What’s meat in your culture could be fish in another culture.”
