The kingmakers of Oyo stated that they rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo because his selection violated the traditional process enshrined in the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, and that there were no such wide consultations as the Governor claimed. In a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde and signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobalolu, the kingmakers declared the appointment null, void, illegal, and unlawful. They insisted that the legitimate candidate, Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin, was selected by the majority of their votes on September 30, 2022, and that his name was forwarded to the governor for approval, which was inexplicably denied.
The kingmakers explained that the Alaafin is chosen strictly in accordance with native laws and customs codified in the 1967 declaration, which stipulates that only the Bashorun of Oyo, as the head of the Oyomesi, can summon a meeting to select a new Alaafin. They stated unequivocally that no such meeting took place for Prince Owoade’s selection. According to them, no assembly was convened at the Alaafin’s palace, as required by tradition, and the process purportedly used to appoint Prince Owoade was therefore illegitimate. They further contended that the state government’s claim that the selection was based on wide consultation and divination was contrary to the stipulated chieftaincy declaration, which does not recognize these methods for determining the new Alaafin.
The controversy intensified when the kingmakers identified a group of five opposing members, including 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, among others, who firmly opposed the governor's involvement. They argued that a meeting held at the Governor’s Office or any other location outside the Alaafin’s palace on January 9, 2025, to select Prince Owoade was illegal. They emphasized that it is not the governor’s responsibility to organize such a meeting, select candidates, or hurriedly approve an appointment within a day.
The kingmakers lamented that the government’s interference disrupted the lawful process. They disclosed that when their choice of Prince Gbadegesin was ignored, they initiated legal action to prevent the governor from interfering further, resulting in an appeal currently pending in court. Despite this, they were surprised by the sudden announcement of Prince Owoade as Alaafin-elect, a move they described as disrespectful to the rule of law and traditional authority.
Urging calm among the people of Oyo, the kingmakers reassured them that they would pursue justice through the legal system. They expressed confidence that the courts would uphold the sanctity of traditional practices and prevent further erosion of indigenous governance structures. Their strong stance underscores a broader struggle between traditional institutions and modern political influence over the appointment of monarchs, a recurring theme in the chieftaincy affairs of Nigeria.
Comments
Post a Comment