Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sparked reactions after a video from the 60th birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota showed him insisting on sitting in a chair reportedly reserved for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The incident occurred during the birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota in Ogun State on Friday, August 28, 2026, with footage of the former president’s interaction over the seating arrangement subsequently circulating online.
In the video, Obasanjo appeared to challenge the seating protocol and maintained that, as a former president, the position accorded to him at the event should take precedence.
Obasanjo Explains His Position
According to the video circulating online, Obasanjo said the presence of a president should attract a higher level of protocol than that accorded to a traditional ruler.
“When a President is present, you give him more honour than any king,” Obasanjo was heard saying in the footage.
The comment has generated debate online, with viewers divided over whether the former president was simply asserting established state protocol or whether the seating arrangement should have been handled differently by the event organisers.
Why the Ooni’s Seat Became the Focus
The chair in question was reportedly reserved for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who was among the prominent traditional rulers and dignitaries associated with the celebration.
The incident has consequently drawn attention to the sometimes delicate relationship between political protocol and the traditional institution in Nigeria, particularly at public gatherings attended by former presidents, serving political leaders and prominent monarchs.
Traditional rulers occupy important cultural and historical positions in Nigerian society, while political office holders derive their authority from the constitutional structure of the Nigerian state.
The disagreement captured in the video therefore touched on a broader question of how organisers should arrange protocol when senior political figures and highly respected traditional rulers attend the same event.
Video Sparks Reactions Online
The footage has generated mixed reactions on social media.
Some viewers defended Obasanjo’s position, arguing that a former Nigerian president remains a major national dignitary and that appropriate protocol should reflect the office he previously occupied.
Others criticised the decision to occupy a seat designated for the Ooni, arguing that the traditional institution deserves respect and that the organisers should have provided a separate seat appropriate to Obasanjo’s status.
Some commentators instead blamed the event’s protocol team, suggesting that the dispute could have been avoided if the seating arrangements had been clearly established before the arrival of the dignitaries.
Obasanjo and Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions
Obasanjo has maintained longstanding relationships with traditional institutions across Nigeria, both during his years in public office and as an elder statesman.
The former president has also frequently participated in royal ceremonies and public engagements involving traditional rulers.
The latest incident therefore stands out because the disagreement was captured on video and quickly became a subject of public discussion.
The Bureau Journal has previously reported on the role of traditional institutions in governance and political engagement. For example, the partnership between the Zuru Emirate and Kebbi State Government highlighted how traditional rulers continue to serve as important partners in community development, peacebuilding and governance.
Traditional Rulers and Political Leadership
The question of protocol involving political leaders and traditional rulers is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where traditional institutions continue to command significant cultural influence despite not exercising constitutional executive powers.
Recent political developments have also demonstrated the importance of maintaining relationships between elected officials and royal institutions.
The Bureau Journal previously reported how Governor Nasir Idris sought royal blessings from traditional rulers ahead of the 2027 political season, underscoring the continuing relevance of traditional institutions in political and community affairs.
At the same time, Nigerian political leaders remain subject to constitutional and electoral institutions that determine the exercise of public power. The Bureau Journal’s guide to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections examines the formal political structures and processes that will determine the country’s next elected leadership.
Protocol or Power?
The incident at the Olota’s birthday has ultimately raised a question that extends beyond the particular seating arrangement: where should political protocol end and traditional protocol begin?
Obasanjo’s remark reflects his view of the status attached to the office of president, while the designation of the chair for the Ooni reflects the cultural and royal importance attached to Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
Neither the video nor the reports surrounding the incident establish a universal rule that a president must always receive more honour than every traditional ruler. Rather, Obasanjo’s statement should be understood as his position on the protocol at the particular event.
For event organisers, the episode offers a reminder of the importance of carefully planning seating arrangements and protocol whenever former or serving political leaders appear alongside traditional rulers.
Moment Continues to Generate Debate
The video has continued to attract attention because of the unusual nature of the exchange and the prominence of the individuals involved.
As reactions continue, the focus remains on whether the incident represented a simple protocol disagreement or reflected deeper questions about the respective roles of political authority and traditional leadership in contemporary Nigeria.
For now, the available footage shows Obasanjo defending his decision to take the seat and explaining it through the status he attaches to presidential office.
The moment President Obasanjo insisted on sitting in the seat reserved for the Ooni of Ife. According to the video, he said, ‘When a President is present, you give him more honour than any king. pic.twitter.com/vvwjNe4a35
— Ade omo Ade 👑 01 (@educatedtug01) August 28, 2026
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