The controversy erupted on Friday when the state government officially announced the appointment of Owoade, citing extensive consultations and traditional divinations. However, the appointment has sparked a fierce backlash from the five prominent kingmakers of Oyo town, who have openly rejected Owoade’s selection.
In a statement released by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, it was disclosed that the Oyomesi, the kingmakers of Oyo, had consulted widely and conducted divinations to identify the new ruler. The process culminated in their recommendation of Prince Owoade, which was then ratified by Governor Makinde.
“After thorough consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade was recommended and subsequently approved by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde,” Oyelade stated in the official announcement.
However, the announcement was met with immediate resistance from the kingmakers, who have publicly questioned the legitimacy of the process. They argue that the appointment of Owoade bypasses legal procedures that had already been set in motion, with a rightful heir in dispute.
Kingmakers’ Legal Challenge
Five influential figures from Oyo’s traditional council, including the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, and the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele, have voiced their objection. Along with several other kingmakers, they contend that the process that led to Owoade’s appointment is illegal.
Speaking through their legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, the kingmakers issued a strong condemnation of the governor’s actions, demanding that the process be halted until the ongoing legal dispute is resolved. Their letter to Governor Makinde, titled “Illegal & Unlawful Appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the New Alaafin of Oyo,” highlights the tension surrounding the Alaafin selection process.
“On their resolute instruction, we write to express our objections to 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, the Kingmakers, in compliance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority vote,” the letter reads. “His name was submitted to you for approval, but for undisclosed reasons, you refused to approve it.”
The kingmakers allege that Governor Makinde’s decision to appoint Owoade was made in violation of the legal framework that governs the selection of the Alaafin. According to the letter, the Alaafin of Oyo is not chosen through divination or consultations, but rather through a formal process that involves the Oyomesi convening a meeting to vote. The protesting kingmakers further argue that no such meeting took place, which they claim renders the governor’s actions invalid.
“The Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967,” the letter further asserts. “The process was ignored, and the selection of Owoade was done in executive recklessness, which cannot stand legal scrutiny.”
Legal Battle Brewing
The matter is now before the Court of Appeal, where the kingmakers have filed a legal action to prevent Governor Makinde from proceeding with Owoade’s appointment. They contend that the proper procedure, which includes a vote by the Oyomesi, was not followed and is seeking judicial intervention.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the law is followed in this matter,” said Chief Wahab Oyetunji, one of the protesting kingmakers. “The rightful Alaafin-elect is Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, and until the courts have ruled, we cannot allow this appointment to stand.”
The kingmakers’ stance is also supported by historical and legal precedents. In 1967, the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration was established, outlining the exact process for the selection of the monarch. Under the declaration, it is clear that the Oyomesi must convene a meeting, and the nomination is based on a majority vote.
This latest development follows months of tension, as the kingmakers’ earlier choice of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin had been stalled by Governor Makinde’s refusal to approve it.
Support for Owoade’s Appointment
While the legal battle intensifies, some traditional rulers have rallied behind the new Alaafin. The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, congratulated Prince Owoade, calling his ascension a divine act.
In a statement issued by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi affirmed that Owoade’s rise to the throne was in accordance with God’s will, and expressed support for the governor’s decision. “This is a divine act, and I believe it is in line with God’s plan for Oyo and its people,” Oba Akanbi said. “I pray for wisdom and strength for Prince Owoade as he takes on this important role.”
Despite the support from certain quarters, the appointment of Owoade has clearly divided the Oyo community. The unresolved legal case and the opposition from the kingmakers suggest that the battle for the throne is far from over.
Political Implications and Public Reactions
The dispute over the Alaafin’s appointment has also attracted political attention, as it pits the traditional institution against the executive arm of government. Governor Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may face mounting pressure to navigate this controversy carefully, given its potential implications for the state’s political stability.
Meanwhile, public reactions have been mixed, with some Oyo residents expressing support for the kingmakers’ legal challenge, while others back the governor’s decision, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to the succession crisis.
“This issue is not just about tradition; it’s about legal processes that should be followed,” said one Oyo analyst speaking on condition of anonymity. “We want a peaceful resolution to this matter.”
