Ibadan Stampede: Makinwa Explains Why Ooni Won’t Support Ex-Wife
Tade Makinwa, a digital creator and author who has known Olori Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, for over 16 years, has shared her thoughts on why the revered monarch is unlikely to come to his former wife’s aid.
Naomi and seven others are currently in custody in connection with the tragic deaths of 35 children during a Christmas event she organized on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan. In a Facebook post published on December 26, 2024, Makinwa explained that the Ooni would not publicly support Naomi due to the manner in which she ended their marriage, particularly the way she did so on social media, which she argues portrayed him as weak.
Makinwa, who has known Naomi since their days in Akure, said: “I’ve known Naomi for years and I don’t judge her for leaving the King; it was her choice. But no one should expect a man, especially one in such a position of power, to support a woman who publicly disgraced him.”
In her post, Makinwa emphasized that no man ascends to great power without strength, and a woman who seeks to diminish him publicly will face neglect when she needs help the most, regardless of their past affection.
While acknowledging Naomi’s long-standing tradition of charity, even before her marriage to the Ooni, Makinwa pointed out the frequent public speculation about why the King hasn’t intervened to support Naomi in the aftermath of the tragedy. She firmly believes that it would be a disgrace for the Ooni to publicly defend her, given the circumstances.
Makinwa further explained that Naomi’s decision to publicly end her marriage to the Ooni, a figure deeply revered within the Yoruba culture, was a step too far. “The Ooni is the most significant figure in Yoruba tradition, and no one should publicly disrespect him,” she asserted. “The Queen’s decision to dissolve their marriage online was a clear violation of that respect.”
The author also linked the decline in cultural values to the rise of social media, where personal matters are often aired publicly. She cited the scandal involving the musician Portable and the widow of the late Alaafin of Oyo as an example of how such behavior undermines traditional values. Makinwa lamented that many modern queens now behave more like influencers on TikTok than uphold the dignity expected of them.
The Ooni’s Palace recently expressed condolences to the families of the deceased children while also acknowledging Naomi’s past efforts to help children, particularly during her time as queen. However, the Palace subtly distanced itself from Naomi by referring to her as “Miss Naomi Ogunseyi” for the first time since she left, signaling that she is no longer associated with the royal household.
Makinwa believes this move was a deliberate message, suggesting that the King has already spoken through the Palace statement, even without directly addressing the public. She cautioned that public confrontations, especially over personal matters, can have lasting consequences and lead to irreparable damage, particularly when dealing with high-profile individuals.
“Once you publicly dishonor someone, there’s no going back,” Makinwa concluded. “When dealing with influential men, certain bridges should never be burned, and certain lines should never be crossed.”
