Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
This comes nearly two years after the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III who died on April 22, 2022 and the subsequent disputes over his succession.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, announced that the governor had endorsed the recommendation of the Oyomesi, the traditional council of kingmakers.
Oyelade said the selection followed extensive consultations and traditional divinations.
“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,” Oyelade said.
Governor Makinde expressed optimism about the new monarch’s reign and prayed it would usher in peace, prosperity, and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.
“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,” said Oyelade.
Despite the announcement, disputes surrounding the appointment process have continued.
On Thursday, five kingmakers in Oyo warned against initiating a new selection process, and stated that they had already chosen Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin for the throne.
In a letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, the kingmakers criticized the governor for allegedly appointing warrant chiefs to restart the selection process.
The kingmakers – High Chief Yusuf Akinade (Bashorun of Oyo), High Chief Wakeel Akindele (Lagunna of Oyo), High Chief Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku of Oyo), Chief Wahab Oyetunji (stand-in Asipa of Oyo), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (stand-in Alapinni of Oyo) – argued that the move undermined their earlier decision.
The letter also noted that a court case on the matter remained unresolved, while accusing the governor of disregarding his constitutional duty by proceeding with the appointment.
“We have just been reliably ínformed 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 9h 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,” the letter read.
Also, they stated 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 it as, “disturbing ugly face of impunity displayed by the Governor of Oyo State, tantamounting to executive lawlessness.”
However, the governor’s office is yet to address the concerns of the kingmakers publicly, but Oyelade stressed the importance of unity and urged the people of Oyo State to support the new Alaafin.
