The ongoing tussle over the rightful successor to the Alaafin of Oyo stool took another turn as five prominent kingmakers in Oyo have rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin by Governor Seyi Makinde. The kingmakers, known collectively as the Oyomesi, have declared the appointment illegal and contrary to the established customs and traditions of the ancient Oyo Empire.
In a statement, the Oyomesi stated unequivocally that the process leading to the governor’s announcement did not follow due protocol, emphasizing that they had not recommended Prince Owoade’s name for the revered stool. According to them, their consensus candidate remains Prince Luqman Gbadegesin, whom they had duly selected and forwarded to the state government as required by tradition.
The kingmakers expressed shock and dismay at the government’s claim that the selection of Prince Owoade was the result of “wide consultation and divination.” They maintained that the provisions of the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967 were not adhered to, thereby rendering the appointment null and void.
“By law and custom, only the Basorun of Oyo, who serves as the head of the Oyomesi and the principal kingmaker, has the authority to summon a meeting for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo,” the Oyomesi explained. “In this case, the Basorun did not summon any meeting, nor was there any selection process convened at the Alaafin’s palace, as tradition dictates. The announcement of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin, therefore, lacks legitimacy.”
The kingmakers further argued that the sanctity of the process for selecting the Alaafin cannot be compromised, as it forms a critical part of the Yoruba cultural heritage. They urged the state government to respect the traditional protocols and revisit the decision to prevent further controversies.
As the controversy unfolds, residents and stakeholders in Oyo are keenly observing the next steps, with many anticipating legal and traditional maneuvers in the coming days. The throne of the Alaafin, an enduring symbol of Yoruba culture and authority, remains a focal point of interest both within and outside Oyo State.
Interesting days lie ahead as the battle for the revered stool intensifies.