Royal Wedding Controversy: Internet Backlash Over Treatment of Princess Barakat’s Mother.

Written by on 10 October 2024

Princess Barakat, the daughter of Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Jafo, the Oniba Ekun of Iba Land

Princess Barakat, with Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Jafo, the Oniba Ekun of Iba Land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Princess Barakat with Olori

 

A recent wedding in Lagos, Nigeria, that should have been a joyful celebration has sparked controversy online, as many criticized the treatment of Princess Barakat’s mother during the event. Princess Barakat, the daughter of Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Jafo, the Oniba Ekun of Iba Land, recently had her wedding ceremony, attended by dignitaries, including over ten traditional rulers. However, the focus has shifted from the royal spectacle to the perceived humiliation of the bride’s mother, leading to significant backlash on social media.

According to multiple online commenters, many believe that Barakat’s mother, who was once married to Oba Sulaimon before his ascension to the throne, was unfairly sidelined at her daughter’s wedding. Critics have voiced concerns that she was excluded from key roles and events, despite being the mother of the bride. A major point of contention was that she was not part of the king’s entourage at the palace, a role some feel she should have assumed, instead of the Olori (the king’s current wife), who took charge of most of the proceedings.

A Royal Rift: The Untold Story

Our correspondent spoke to a source close to the family who, on condition of anonymity, shed light on the reasons behind this tension. The source explained that while many internet users perceived Barakat’s mother to have been humiliated, the reality of the situation is more complex.

Princess Barakat’s Mother with Oniba’s family

“Barakat’s mother was seated among the king’s family, alongside the king’s father and other relatives,” the source said. “She was not part of the king’s entourage because she is no longer his wife. She left Oba Sulaimon long before he became king and has since moved on. Meanwhile, the current Olori, the king’s wife, has been raising Barakat and her sister as her own. It was only fitting, therefore, that the Olori took on the honour of leading the event, including offering prayers for the bride.”

Cultural and Traditional Considerations

The Iba royal throne, like many , follows strict customs and practices. According to our source, these customs played a major role in determining who took charge of the event.

“In traditional Yoruba settings, it would be considered a breach of protocol and a cultural taboo to ask a woman who now belongs to another man to sit with the king or take on ceremonial roles as if she were still the king’s wife,” the source added. “It was not an intentional slight. The community simply upholds its long-standing customs.”

Barakat’s mother, therefore, had to be given a respectful but separate role at the event, one that acknowledged her place in the royal family without contradicting cultural expectations.

The Journey to the Throne

To understand the weight of the customs at play, one must look at the journey of Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Jafo to the throne. The Oniba Ekun of Iba Land ascended to his forefathers’ throne following the passing of Oba Goriola Yishau Oseni on May 25, 2020, after a remarkable 45-year reign. The path to the throne was not without challenges. Two branches of the ruling house—the Oduntan and the Idowu Balogun—contested the eligibility of their respective candidates to ascend the throne.

After years of legal battles, including claims that the Idowu Balogun branch was not legitimately part of the royal lineage, the Federal High Court, in 2018, confirmed the eligibility of the Idowu Balogun branch to produce a king. This ruling ultimately led to the ascension of Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Jafo from the Idowu Balogun branch, breaking the dominance of the Oduntan ruling house, which had produced five successive kings before him.

Navigating Tradition in Modern Times

Royal traditions in Nigeria, particularly in kingdoms like Iba, are steeped in centuries-old customs that dictate how events, including weddings, are conducted. These customs, which sometimes clash with modern expectations, aim to preserve the dignity and sanctity of the royal throne.

As the dust settles on this wedding controversy, it’s clear that the complexities of tradition, personal relationships, and modern-day expectations are not always easy to balance. For now, the Oniba Ekun’s palace maintains its commitment to preserving the sanctity of its customs, while Princess Barakat and her new husband, Adedire Adetunji, embark on their journey together, their wedding already part of the public discourse.

In a country where traditional values are revered but constantly tested by modern societal dynamics, the Iba royal wedding serves as a reminder that royalty, even in the face of public scrutiny, remains deeply tied to its ancestral heritage.


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