A royal gesture of humility or a breach of protocol? That is the question that has sparked a heated debate among Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) as the photos of the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, kneeling down before Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) trends on the social media.
The photos were captured at the king’s thanksgiving service on Sunday, December 17.
The Soun, who was a pastor in RCCG before he became the ruler of Ogbomosho, a town in Oyo state, expressed his gratitude to God and sought the blessings of Adeboye, his General Overseer.
However, not everyone was impressed by the king’s attitude. Some Nigerians argued that as a traditional ruler, he should not kneel before anyone, especially in public. They claimed that he had demeaned his royal status and dishonored his ancestors by doing so.
Others, however, defended the king’s action, saying that he was honoring God “the King of Kings” by kneeling before Adeboye.
They praised the king for his humility and faith, and said that he had set a good example for other leaders to follow.
The debate has generated diverse opinions and reactions on social media, as Nigerians weigh in on the controversial issue.
Here are some of the comments:
My Ogbomoso people, what’s up? And I think Adeboye’s own is too much accepting the kneeling of the king, this stupid. pic.twitter.com/Z6KRg6kty7
— Ààrẹ Ayọ̀dèjì (@omolisabi1) December 17, 2023
Ogbomoso people should come and see their King 🤴, Soun of Ogbomosho kneeling with Oriade.
Yoruba culture is in the mud pic.twitter.com/e3UXWuaFQe
— Boda Afeez (@iamMacAfeez) December 17, 2023
Pastor Adeboye didn’t ask Oba ‘Laoye – Soun of Ogbomoso to kneel before him, the monarch chose to disrespect and disgrace entire Yoruba race by willingly kneeling.
— Adeyemi “Urban” Oba (@AdeyemiUrban) December 18, 2023
SOUN OF OGBOMOSO CORONATION……..THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
The same man who anointed him as a Pastor in 1999 is the same today, Pastor Adeboye was in Ogbomoso to anoint Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladoye Orumogege 111.
The Coronation is tomorrow….. pic.twitter.com/yiQbEFpwl5
— Adeleke Opeyemi (@Equityoyo) December 17, 2023
