Amid protestations by a group of aggrieved kingmakers, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The appointment is coming two years after the passage of the former occupier of the throne, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the raging crisis that trailed appointment of his successor.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Friday said that after thorough consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyemesi, the Oyo kingmakers, Prince Owoade was recommended for approval by Governor Makinde.
The Commissioner, who prayed that his reign would bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom, said in the statement; “Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the new Alaafin of Oyo”.
He said the announcement has officially brought to an end the legal and social disputes that followed the passing of the former Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died on April 22, 2022.
Confirming the State government’s position, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, urged the people of Oyo to fully support the new Alaafin, saying; “This decision has put to rest all the socio-legal controversies that have arisen since the transition of the late Oba Adeyemi.
“We urge the people of Oyo State to support the new Alaafin and join the government in celebrating this historic moment”.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, January 10, 2025, five Kingmakers in Oyo had cautioned the Governor against kick-starting a fresh process to select an occupant for the vacant stool, insisting that they had already chosen Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin.
The Kingmakers, High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, Warrant Chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, Warrant Chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo, had warned the governor against embarking on any step that could be seen as illegal.
Their message was conveyed in a letter written and signed on their behalf by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN)
The letter read thus; “We have just been reliably informed by our clients that you have just through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Government appointed (i) Chief Odurinde Olusegun Alajagba of Ajagba) (ii) Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja) as warrant kíngmakers to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) to kick start the process of selecting another candidate to fill the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo.
“The two Local Government Chairmen and the said Warrant Chiefs and High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) who are not in support of the decision of the majority of the Kingmakers that selected Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alafin-elect were summoned today 9th January, 2025 to the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs where they were ordered to commence a fresh process to fill the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo.”
They explained that since there was a pending court case on the matter, the Governor’s attempt to kickstart a new process was a disregard to his oath of office, legal and constitutional duty to abide by the constitution and give utmost regard to the court.
They also noted that the Governor’s move is similar to his past action when he disregarded a pending case before the court and proceeded to dissolve a democratically elected Local Government Chairmen which the Supreme Court eventually condemned and described as a “disturbing ugly face of impunity displayed by the Governor of Oyo State, which tantamount to executive lawlessness.”
