Crisis Looms As Kingmakers Reject Gov Makinde’s Approval of New Alaafin

The approval and appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde has been greeted by a crisis as Kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State, have rejected and protested the action.

Didactic Information Hut recalls that Owoade’s appointment was announced on Friday in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, sparking controversy within traditional circles.

But five prominent kingmakers in Oyo town including Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade; the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; a warrant chief representing the Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and a warrant chief representing the Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau rejected Owoade’s appointment.

They argued 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, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, the protesting Kingmakers described the governor’s actions as illegal and urged the suspension of the process until the matter was resolved in court.

The letter which outlined the kingmakers’ opposition to the appointment is as below in part;

“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.”