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Ooni’s Palace Denies Baba Ijesha Chieftaincy, Confirms Car Gift

July 5, 2026 By BeatzHive Editorial 2 min read

Ooni of Ife’s Palace Denies Baba Ijesha Chieftaincy Title, Confirms Only Car Gift

The palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has dismissed claims that Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha was installed as a chief during a recent visit to the monarch. The denial came only hours after the actor announced online that he had been honoured with a title, though the palace did confirm he was presented with a brand-new car.

Palace Rejects Baba Ijesha’s Royal Title Claim

Baba Ijesha had reportedly taken to social media to celebrate what he described as a warm reception at the palace, saying the revered monarch conferred on him the title “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa” alongside a new vehicle and other gifts. Photos of the actor and his wife at the palace quickly circulated, fuelling the belief that a royal honour had indeed been bestowed.

The palace, however, moved to set the record straight. Speaking on its behalf, the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, distanced the monarch from the chieftaincy claims, stating: “I am not aware of the chieftaincy title, but I am aware of the car.”

The clarification confirms that the actor received a vehicle from the royal household while casting doubt on the portion of his announcement concerning a formal title. As of the time of this report, Baba Ijesha has not publicly reacted to the palace’s position.

Monarch’s Rebuttal Sparks Intense Online Debate

Chieftaincy titles from prominent traditional rulers carry significant cultural weight in Nigeria, and announcements of such honours — especially involving well-known entertainers — tend to spread rapidly online. When a palace publicly contradicts a claim of this nature, it typically prompts scrutiny of how the story emerged and who is responsible for the confusion.

Baba Ijesha’s return to public life has remained a talking point following his well-documented legal troubles, which has amplified interest in this episode. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some Nigerians urging caution before celebrating unverified announcements and others questioning how the misunderstanding arose in the first place. The palace’s statement leaves the matter of the alleged title firmly unresolved from the actor’s side.

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Video shows Baba Ijesha and his wife at the Ooni of Ife’s palace where he reportedly receives a brand-new car and chieftaincy title https://t.co/kY0IQWiauR

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