Ooni of Ife Reportedly Defends King Mitchy After WhatsApp Leak Sparks Nationwide Backlash
Online backlash has continued to trail social media influencer and philanthropist Mukoro Michelle, widely known as King Mitchy, following screenshots of an alleged private WhatsApp exchange with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The controversy intensified after screenshots surfaced online showing what was said to be a direct message from the revered monarch, praising her humanitarian efforts, including the renovation of a school in Delta State. In the chat obtained by multiple blogs, the monarch allegedly wrote: “See all the great things you’re doing on social media. Keep up the good work indeed! Kindly advise when we can talk.”
The development triggered widespread reactions across Instagram, X, and TikTok, after King Mitchy reportedly referred to the monarch casually as “even this king” while narrating the interaction to her followers. She also allegedly claimed she asked him to call back in five minutes, a call she later missed or did not return, a remark many netizens interpreted as dismissive toward a first class Yoruba traditional ruler and custodian of culture.
Sources who spoke to PulseNets said the phrase and the decision to make the private conversation public were perceived in some quarters as disrespectful to the throne of Ile Ife. Traditionalists argued that leaking such communication diminished royal dignity, especially given the symbolic role of the Ooni in Yoruba heritage and Nigeria’s traditional institution structure.
The situation escalated further after social media activist VeryDarkMan publicly reacted to the screenshots. He questioned what he described as the irony of a monarch reaching out in praise only to have the gesture trivialized online. His reaction reportedly fueled viral memes and intense debate about hierarchy, celebrity culture, and digital clout.
Amid the mounting criticism, King Mitchy took to Instagram with a fresh update. PulseNets learned from her post that she claimed the Ooni personally contacted her during the backlash and appealed for calm. According to her account, the monarch described her as young and urged critics to stop attacking her online.
In her words: “The king has spoken… that I’m still a young girl… awww I never knew how important he was before today.”
She further described the monarch as generous and kind hearted, adding that she did not initially grasp the weight of the situation and expressed regret if her comments caused unintended offense.
Reports obtained by PulseNets from online publications and social media conversations suggest the monarch’s alleged outreach was intended to de escalate tensions and shield her from sustained harassment. Observers have interpreted the gesture as a move consistent with his modern and youth friendly engagement style.
As of February 27, 2026, no formal statement has been released from the Ooni’s palace directly addressing the controversy. However, commentators note that Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has historically maintained an accessible approach, frequently engaging young entrepreneurs, creatives, and philanthropists across Nigeria.
The incident has also reignited conversations around King Mitchy’s ongoing online exchanges with VeryDarkMan, where allegations concerning NGO funds and integrity were previously traded. While she has reportedly issued conciliatory remarks in some posts, the involvement of the Ooni has amplified the debate beyond influencer rivalry to questions of cultural respect and institutional reverence.
Public opinion remains sharply divided. Some Yoruba traditional advocates described the episode as embarrassing and warned against normalizing casual treatment of revered monarchs. Others argued that generational gaps and social media culture shape perception differently, with some defending King Mitchy’s tone as informal rather than malicious.
Also Read: Ooni of Ife Dismisses Alaafin of Oyo’s 48-Hour Ultimatum as “Empty Threats of a Dead Empire”
Meanwhile, memes referencing the “levels” dynamic between influencer culture and royalty continue to circulate widely.
The controversy underscores the growing intersection between social media influence, celebrity philanthropy, and traditional authority in contemporary Nigeria. Although some posts have since been deleted, the story continues to trend across digital platforms.
