The palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has reacted to speculations that his former wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, may be returning to the palace following their recent public appearance together.
The speculation gained momentum after the monarch attended Ms Silekunola’s convocation ceremony at Elizade University in Ondo State on Friday.
A video from the event, which has circulated widely on social media, showed the former couple exchanging pleasantries and sharing moments with their son, Prince Tadenikawo.
The footage attracted reactions from social media users, with some interpreting their friendly interaction as a possible sign of reconciliation.
The discussion was further fuelled by an Instagram post claiming that the Ooni was preparing to welcome his former queen back into the palace.
However, the monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, has urged the public not to draw conclusions from the encounter, saying he could not immediately confirm whether the meeting indicated a possible reconciliation.
*Palace explains conditions for return*
Speaking in an interview with Premium Times, Olafare said the Ooni had previously attended events at Elizade University and cautioned against attaching any special meaning to his presence at the convocation.
He, however, acknowledged that the former couple could reconcile, stressing that separation was not an offence that made reconciliation impossible.
According to him, while the two could decide to rebuild their relationship like any other separated couple, Queen Naomi’s return to the palace would involve 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,” Olafare said.
He added that if the former queen had decided to return to her marriage, there was nothing wrong with such a decision, but the process would have to follow the necessary traditional requirements.
“If the woman has made up her mind to return to her former marriage, it is allowed, but it is spiritually and culturally procedural,” Olafare stated.
The spokesperson also distinguished between the possibility of the former couple reconciling privately and Silekunola formally reclaiming her former position in the palace, explaining that the latter would require established spiritual and cultural rites.
*How the marriage ended*
The Ooni married Naomi Silekunola in October 2018, and their union produced a son, Prince Tadenikawo, in November 2020.
However, in December 2021, Ms Silekunola publicly announced the end of their marriage, stating that she would no longer be addressed as the Ooni’s wife or the Queen of Ile-Ife.
Olafare noted that the former queen had voluntarily left the throne about four years earlier. He, however, cautioned that his explanation of the traditional requirements should not be interpreted as opposition to a possible reconciliation.
*Former couple maintain cordial relationship*
Despite their separation, the Ooni and Silekunola have maintained cordial relations and have appeared together at public functions on several occasions.
In 2024, the former couple reunited at a praise night organised to celebrate the opening of the Ooni’s Ojaja Park in Akure, Ondo State.
Silekunola attended the event with their son, Tadenikawo, who attracted considerable attention from guests.
The Ooni’s other wives, Queens Temitope and Aderonke, were also present and interacted warmly with the young prince and his mother.
The former queen was seen exchanging pleasantries with the monarch and standing beside him as guests presented cash gifts to their son.
Their friendly interaction at the event generated reactions, particularly because it came three years after the announcement of their separation.
Their latest appearance together at the university convocation has once again raised questions about the possibility of reconciliation, although the palace has not confirmed that any decision has been taken.