12
Jan
Jan
KINGMAKERS REJECT GOVERNOR MAKINDE’S APPOINTMENT OF NEW ALAAFIN OF OYO
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Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
- 0
- 2 min read
The kingmakers in Oyo Town have rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. In a letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobalolu, the kingmakers declared Owoade’s appointment as null and void, illegal, and unlawful. The Oyo State Government had announced Owoade as the Alaafin-elect on Friday, January 10, 2025. However, the kingmakers claimed they never recommended Owoade to the state government. Instead, they insisted that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin was the only person they recommended as the next Alaafin, with the majority of the kingmakers’ lawful votes on September 30, 2022. 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 as the candidate appointed by the kingmakers as Alaafin of Oyo for your approval, which you refused to approve for no disclosed reason at all.” Five kingmakers are objecting to the governor’s appointment, including the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Layinka; the Lagunna of Oyo, Wakeel Oyedepo; and the Akinniku of Oyo, Hamzat Yusuf. The other two are the warrant chief standing in for Asipa of Oyo, Wahab Oyetunji; and the warrant chief standing in for Alapinní of Oyo, Gbadebo Mufutau. The kingmakers noted that the government’s claim of Owoade’s selection being made after wide consultation and divination was inaccurate. They emphasized that the Alaafin is chosen in strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process. The kingmakers also stated that the meeting held at the Governor’s Office to select Owoade was unlawful and illegal. They appealed to the people of Oyo Town to remain calm, as they intend to challenge the action in court.