In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Obi responded to social media criticism questioning the appropriateness of his language when addressing a first-class Yoruba monarch. 

“I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. I respect protocol and authority, and I try, as much as possible, to adhere to them,” Obi wrote. 

He explained that the expression reflected the personal rapport he shares with individuals of high standing, citing past instances where he similarly referred to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, as “my very dear elder brother” without controversy.

Obi’s original message, shared after Ladoja’s installation on September 26, 2025, praised the 81-year-old monarch, a former Oyo State governor, as “a man of immense wisdom, integrity, and service to his people and nation.” 

The enthronement ceremony, which followed the passing of Oba Lekan Balogun in March 2024, was attended by President Bola Tinubu and a host of political and cultural leaders, underscoring the significance of the Olubadan’s role in one of Nigeria’s most revered traditional institutions.

The controversy arose when some social media commentators argued that Obi’s choice of words diminished the reverence owed to the Olubadan, sparking debates over cultural sensitivity and decorum. 

Obi’s clarification emphasized his commitment to respecting traditional authority while maintaining that his phrasing was consistent with his personal style of expressing warmth and respect.