Ooni’s palace reacts to rumours of Queen Naomi’s return

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The palace of the Ooni of Ife has reacted cautiously to speculations that the monarch’s former wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, is preparing to return, following their public appearance together at her university convocation.

The speculation began after the Ooni, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, attended Ms Silekunola’s convocation at Elizade University, Ondo State, on Friday. A viral video showed the former couple exchanging pleasantries and interacting with their son, Tadenikawo.

The footage prompted emotional reactions online, but the conversation intensified after an Instagram post claimed that the monarch was set to receive his former queen back into the palace.

Ms Silekunola married the Ooni in October 2018, and they welcomed their son in November 2020. In December 2021, she announced the end of the marriage, declaring that she would no longer be addressed as the Ooni’s wife or Queen of Ile-Ife.

Responding to the renewed speculation, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, told PREMIUM TIMES that he could not immediately confirm whether the encounter signalled a reconciliation.

Mr Olafare, who said he was in Liberia supervising one of the monarch’s mining investments, noted that the Ooni had attended events at Elizade University in the past and cautioned against concluding Friday’s meeting.

He, however, said the former couple were free to reconcile, stressing that separation was not an “unpardonable offence.”

“They could easily reconcile with each other like any other couple. But for her to return to the palace requires a lot of spiritual rites, which could not have been performed at an external function such as where they recently met,” he said.

“If the woman has made up her mind to return to her former marriage, it is allowed, but it is spiritually and culturally procedural.”

Mr Olafare, however, said the former couple were free to reconcile, noting that separation was not an “unpardonable offence.”

He explained that resuming their marriage would be different from Ms Silekunola reclaiming her former position in the palace, which would require established spiritual and cultural procedures.

“They could easily reconcile with each other like any other couple. But for her to return to the palace requires a lot of spiritual rites, which could not have been performed at an external function such as where they recently met,” he said.

“If the woman has made up her mind to return to her former marriage, it is allowed, but it is spiritually and culturally procedural.”

Mr Olafare added that Ms Silekunola had left the throne on her own four years earlier. Still, he said he did not want his remarks interpreted as opposition to a possible reconciliation.

The Ooni and Ms Naomi have maintained cordial relations since their separation, with the two appearing together at a few public events, including the recently concluded Elizade University convocation.

In 2024, the former couple reunited at a praise night organised to mark the opening of the Ooni’s Ojaja Park in Akure, Ondo State.

Ms Naomi attended the ceremony with Tadenikawo, who became a major attraction.

Guests surrounded the four-year-old and took turns dancing with him. The Ooni’s other wives, Queens Temitope and Aderonke, also participated in the celebration.

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

Ms Naomi, who hails from Akure, attended the ceremony in her hometown. She was also seen standing beside the Ooni as guests presented their son with cash gifts.

The former couple appeared comfortable in each other’s company, exchanging pleasantries and maintaining a friendly atmosphere despite their marital separation.

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