Five prominent Kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State, have rejected the appointment of Prince Akeem Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Governor Makinde announced Owoade’s appointment on Friday, 10th January, sparking controversy within traditional circles. The government claimed that after extensive consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, the Oyo kingmakers, Owoade was recommended and subsequently approved by the Governor.
However, five prominent Kingmakers, including the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, and the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele, have alleged that Owoade’s appointment is contrary to their recommendation.
These Kingmakers argue that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin was the rightful Alaafin-elect, citing ongoing legal proceedings concerning the selection process.
In a letter signed by their legal counsel, they described the Governor’s actions as unlawful and urged the suspension of the process until the matter was resolved in court.
The letter emphasised that the Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through a strict process governed by the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967. They argued that the Bashorun of Oyo, as head of the Oyomesi, must convene a meeting for the selection, which did not take place in this instance.
The letter in part reads: “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 held in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, the Kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority of lawful votes. His name was forwarded to Your Excellency for approval, but you refused to approve it for undisclosed reasons. The Kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, which is now pending in the Court of Appeal.
“Your Excellency’s recent announcement of Prince Owoade’s appointment, claiming it was made after consultations and divinations, is contrary to the established legal process. The Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which governs the selection process. The Bashorun of Oyo, as the head of the Oyomesi, must summon a meeting for the selection, but no such meeting was convened. This decision amounts to executive recklessness and cannot withstand legal scrutiny.”
