Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has broken his silence after the controversy surrounding the way he greeted the revered Yoruba monarch, the Ooni of Ife, at a recent event.

The actor recently met the Ooni of Ife while celebrating the birthday of Nigerian philanthropist and wife of Nigerian oil tycoon, Tein Jack-rich, Elizabeth Jack-rich.

Pete Edochie, who entered the venue accompanied by his colleague Kanayo O Kanayo, first went to Ooni’s table to exchange pleasantries.

The veteran Nollywood actor gave the traditional ruler the popular Igbo backhand handshake, which the Ooni accepted with smiles on their faces.

However, this did not sit well with some Nigerians on social media, who claimed that it was disrespectful for the 76-year-old actor to greet Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the most powerful king in Yoruba land, with a handshake.

They pointed out that the proper way for Pete to have greeted the king was to bow rather than shake his hand.

Entrepreneur, Sommy Keshi defended Pete Edochie, questioning why a titled chef like Pete Edochie would bow to the Ooni of Ife.

He wrote, “High Chief For A Reason, Igbo Kwenu.”

In response, Pete, who appears to agree with Sommy Keshi’s point of view on the matter, reposted Keshi’s post defending him on his Instagram Stories.

See below,