ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE — The ancient throne of the Ooni of Ife, currently occupied by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has once again found itself at the center of a social media storm. In late February 2026, a controversial social media influencer and personality, popularly known as King Mitchy, reportedly leaked alleged private conversations between herself and the monarch, accompanied by what many have described as "demeaning" and "disrespectful" commentary.
The Genesis of the Leak The controversy began when King Mitchy took to her Instagram and Snapchat stories to share screenshots of chats purportedly from the Ooni. In her captions, she made several disparaging remarks concerning the monarch’s private life and the nature of their interactions. The "leaked chats" quickly went viral, trending on Nigerian Twitter (X) and forums like Nairaland, sparking a heated debate about the boundaries between celebrity culture and the sanctity of traditional institutions.
The Palace’s Indirect Reaction As of Friday, February 27, 2026, there has been no formal, signed press release from the Ooni’s media office specifically naming King Mitchy. However, sources close to the Palace and a recent statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Moses Olafare, have signaled the monarch's position.
Following a pattern established during previous social media controversies—most notably the 2025 dispute with the Alaafin of Oyo—the Ooni’s camp has indicated that the monarch will not "dignify the undignifiable" with a direct response. A high-ranking palace aide noted that the Ooni remains focused on his "national unity" and "economic empowerment" agenda for 2026, rather than engaging in "social media distractions."
Public Outcry and Traditional Backlash The reaction from Yoruba traditionalists and loyalists of the Ife throne has been one of swift condemnation toward King Mitchy. Many have called her actions an "affront" to the cradle of the Yoruba race. Some elders in Ile-Ife have even suggested that such "disrespectful" behavior toward the Arole Oodua should be met with traditional sanctions.
In a cryptic message shared during the 2026 Aje Festival celebrations in Ile-Ife earlier this week, the Ooni appeared to address the situation indirectly. He urged Nigerians to "focus more on news that is of quality, not social media and rumors," emphasizing that a king's strength lies in his silence and his ability to rise above "petty narratives that seek to divide rather than unite."
While King Mitchy continues to double down on her claims, the Palace’s refusal to engage suggests that the Ooni is betting on the "public court of opinion" to see through the sensationalism.
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