Kingmakers in Oyo Reject Governor Makinde’s Appointment of Owoade as New Alaafin; Give Reasons
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Kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State, have voiced their opposition to the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde. The appointment, announced on Friday through a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, has stirred controversy within the traditional leadership circles.
According to Oyelade, Owoade was recommended as the new Alaafin after thorough consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, the Oyo kingmakers, and was subsequently approved by Governor Makinde.
“After extensive consultations and divination by the Oyomesi, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade has been recommended as the new Alaafin of Oyo, and his appointment has been approved by Governor Seyi Makinde,” the statement read.
However, five key kingmakers in Oyo town have rejected the appointment, stating that the process was flawed. The protesting kingmakers include the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade; the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; the warrant chief representing the Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and the warrant chief representing the Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.
The kingmakers argue that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin is the rightful Alaafin-elect, citing ongoing legal proceedings regarding the selection process. In a letter to the governor, signed by their legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, the kingmakers described the governor’s actions as illegal and called for the suspension of the appointment process until the matter is resolved in court.
The letter, titled “Re: Illegal & Unlawful Appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the New Alaafin of Oyo,” outlined the kingmakers’ objections. It stated in part, “On their resolute instruction, we write this letter concerning the purported unlawful and illegal appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. You will recall that on September 30, 2022, at a meeting of the Kingmakers, the majority of lawful votes appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin. His name was forwarded to Your Excellency for approval, but you refused to approve it for undisclosed reasons. Subsequently, the Kingmakers filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, which is now pending in the Court of Appeal.”
The letter further emphasized that the appointment of the Alaafin should adhere strictly to the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which dictates that the Bashorun of Oyo, as head of the Oyomesi, must summon a meeting for the selection. The kingmakers argued that no such meeting was held, and as a result, the decision was an act of “executive recklessness” that could not withstand legal scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, congratulated Prince Owoade on his appointment, describing it as a divine act in line with God’s will. In a statement issued by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi expressed his support for the new Alaafin’s ascension.
