Amid controversies surrounding his appointment, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday presented the staff of office to Prince Abimbola Owoade, confirming him as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The event, held at the Agodi Government House in Ibadan, also saw the governor hand over the certificate of appointment to the newly crowned monarch.
During his address, Makinde pledged to take legal action against kingmakers accused of accepting bribes during the selection process. He also urged Owoade to unify the people of Oyo as he assumes the throne.
READ ALSO: Makinde approves Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo
The Oyo State Government had officially announced Owoade’s appointment last Friday, nearly three years after the passing of the previous Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
However, five of the seven kingmakers of Oyo town have rejected the decision, claiming it contradicts the established process.
In a letter signed by their lawyer, Adekunle Sobalolu, and addressed to Makinde, the kingmakers alleged that Owoade was not their nominee. They insisted that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin was the candidate lawfully selected by the majority of the kingmakers on September 30, 2022.
The dissenting kingmakers include the Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Layinka; the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; and the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf.
In their letter, the kingmakers stated, “Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin, having obtained the majority of votes of the kingmakers present, was deemed appointed, and his name was forwarded to Your Excellency for approval, which you refused to grant for no disclosed reason at all.
“The kingmakers thereafter filed an action to prevent Your Excellency from halting the process, leading to the current appeal at the Court of Appeal.”
The kingmakers further expressed shock at the government’s claim that Owoade’s selection followed “wide consultation and divination.”
They argued, “The Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967.
“Under this declaration, it is only the Bashorun of Oyo, head of the Oyomesi and kingmakers, who can summon a meeting to select a candidate for the throne. In this case, the Bashorun did not convene any meeting, nor was one held in the Alaafin’s palace, as required by custom, to select Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin.”
The kingmakers also described the meeting held at the Governor’s Office or any other venue on January 9, 2025, to select the governor’s preferred candidate as illegal.
“It is not within the governor’s authority to convene such meetings with a few kingmakers or appoint emergency warrant chiefs to select the new Alaafin,” they said.
Meanwhile, the new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade, is preparing for a 21-day period of traditional rites as part of his formal ascension.
A source disclosed, “Oba Owoade has traveled to Oyo town to meet the sons and daughters of the community and begin the mandatory 21-day traditional rites for the ascension to the throne of his forefathers.”
The presentation of the staff of office was attended by kingmakers, prominent government officials, and dignitaries from across the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde announced Owoade as the new ruler of the historic Yoruba community on Friday. He formally presented him with the staff of office on Monday.
Oba Owoade succeeds the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away three years ago.
Crediblenewsng.com
