The Oyo State Government, under Governor Seyi Makinde, has appointed Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, bypassing the traditional selection process led by the Oyomesi, the state’s council of kingmakers. This announcement, made on Friday, has stirred controversy and heightened tensions surrounding the vacant Alaafin stool, a highly revered Yoruba title.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Alaafin’s position became vacant after the death of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022. The Oyomesi had initiated the selection process following approval from Atiba Local Government in August 2022. After reviewing 82 candidates from the Agunloye Ruling House, the Oyomesi selected Lukman Gbadegesin, grandson of the late Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin, on September 30, 2022.

This decision was communicated to the governor on October 4, 2022, and no objections were raised within the legally mandated 21-day period. A subsequent legal challenge to the selection was dismissed by the Oyo State High Court in December 2022, validating the process. However, despite this, Governor Makinde withheld his approval of Gbadegesin’s appointment for over a year.

On January 10, 2025, the governor announced Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, a decision that has sparked outrage. Critics argue that this undermines the authority of the Oyomesi, as stipulated by the 1961 Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, which grants them exclusive rights to select the monarch.

The Oyomesi rejected the governor’s choice, accusing him of disregarding tradition and legal procedures. Some council members had previously attempted to withdraw their support for Gbadegesin, citing unsubstantiated allegations of bribery.

While Owoade is also from the Agunloye Ruling House, his appointment has been criticized as a breach of several key rules:

1. No Formal Petition: The governor acted without receiving any formal petition from other aspirants or ruling houses within the legally allowed period. The objections raised by two Oyomesi members were deemed invalid under the law.
2. Ignoring Court Ruling: A 2022 court ruling confirmed that the Alaafin’s selection does not require the Ifa oracle’s consultation, yet rumors surfaced that the governor consulted Professor Wande Abimbola for guidance, contravening the court’s decision.
3. Overstepping Oyomesi’s Role: Despite the Oyomesi’s prior selection of Gbadegesin, the governor held his own meeting and appointed a candidate, an act seen as usurping the kingmakers’ powers.

The Oyomesi has since rejected the appointment, with sources indicating that they may seek legal action to annul the governor’s decision.

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