Ooni's Palace Responds to Rumours of Queen Naomi's Comeback

The palace of the Ooni of Ife has responded carefully to talks that the monarch’s former wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, may return. This follows their public appearance at her university convocation.

Speculation started when the Ooni, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, attended Ms Silekunola’s convocation at Elizade University in Ondo State on Friday. A viral video showed the former couple greeting each other and spending time with their son, Tadenikawo.

The video stirred up strong feelings online, but the chatter grew louder after an Instagram post claimed that the Ooni was getting ready to take his former queen back to the palace.

Ms Silekunola married the Ooni in October 2018, and they had their son in November 2020. In December 2021, she announced their marriage was over, saying she would no longer be called the Ooni’s wife or Queen of Ile-Ife.

Palace Responds

In response to the ongoing talk, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, told PREMIUM TIMES that he could not confirm if their meeting meant they were reconciling.

Mr Olafare, who was in Liberia managing one of the monarch’s mining projects, mentioned that the Ooni has attended events at Elizade University before. He urged caution in interpreting Friday’s meeting.

He added that the former couple could choose to reconcile, saying that separation is not an “unpardonable offence.”

“They could easily reconcile like any other couple. But if she wants to return to the palace, it needs a lot of spiritual rites, which could not have happened at an event like where they recently met,” he said.

“If the woman has decided to return to her previous marriage, that is allowed, but it has to follow spiritual and cultural rules.”

Traditional Rites

Mr Olafare reiterated that the former couple could reconcile, emphasizing that separation is not a big deal.

He explained that getting back together would be different from Ms Silekunola regaining her position in the palace. That would need proper spiritual and cultural steps to be taken.

“They could easily reconcile like any couple. But for her to come back to the palace, it involves many spiritual rites, which could not have been done at an external gathering like where they met,” he said.

“If she has made up her mind to return to her previous marriage, that is fine, but it must follow spiritual and cultural procedures.”

Mr Olafare also pointed out that Ms Silekunola left the throne on her own four years ago. Still, he did not want his comments taken as opposition to a possible reconciliation.

Their Relationship

The Ooni and Ms Naomi have kept a friendly relationship since their split. They have appeared together at a few public events, including the recent Elizade University convocation.

In 2024, the former couple came together at a praise night for the opening of the Ooni’s Ojaja Park in Akure, Ondo State.

Ms Naomi attended the ceremony with Tadenikawo, who was a big hit with the crowd. Guests surrounded the four-year-old and took turns dancing with him. The Ooni’s other wives, Queens Temitope and Aderonke, also joined in the festivities.

The queens interacted with Tadenikawo and shared friendly moments with Ms Naomi during the ceremony.

Ms Naomi, from Akure, was seen standing next to the Ooni as guests gave their son cash gifts. The former couple looked comfortable together, laughing and enjoying each other’s company despite their separation.