A significant number of indigenes from Oyo town gathered in a peaceful protest at the entrance of the Oyo High Court in Awe to express their dissatisfaction with the delay in the selection of a new Alaafin.
The protest, which took place on Tuesday, witnessed Oyo residents carrying placards with various inscriptions, conveying their concerns about the ongoing process.
Among the slogans on the placards were “Oyo Mesi follow tradition, not money,” “Alaafin stool is not for sale,” “On Alaafin: Let dignity reign,” “Alaafin: Due process,” and “Ife consultations are sacrosanct,” among others.
Meanwhile, the High Court sitting in Oyo State has adjourned the case brought by five kingmakers against Governor Seyi Makinde, the State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to Thursday, November 2.
The kingmakers, known as Oyo Mesi, initiated the case, alleging that the governor had obstructed the selection process for the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo. Their claim states that Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin was unanimously selected to fill the vacant position.
In their lawsuit, they are seeking a court order to prevent Governor Makinde and his agents from overturning Gbadegesin’s selection and recognizing any other candidate. The kingmakers insist on preserving the due process and traditions outlined in the native law, custom, and Chieftaincy Declaration of the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.
Furthermore, the kingmakers are requesting the court to prevent the governor and other defendants from dismissing them as Oyo kingmakers or dissolving the Oyomesi in Council or appointing warrant chiefs to initiate a new selection process for the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool.
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