.News Desk
10 January , 2025
A new Alaafin of Oyo has been formally approved by Governor Seyi Makinde.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State.
Added that a statement to this effect has been issued by the Honourable
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement has put to rest, all the socio and legal bickerings that have ensued since the demise of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022.
Hon. Ademola Ojo called on all citizens of Oyo State to join the Government in celebrating this momentus occasion and lend their support to the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The Commissioner prays that his reign will bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.
It would be recalled that five prominent kingmakers in Oyo had earlier condemned Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to initiate a new process for selecting the new Alaafin of Oyo, describing the move as illegal and a blatant disregard for the judiciary.
The kingmakers—High Chief Yusuf Akínade (Bashorun of Oyo), High Chief Wakeel Akindele (Lagunna of Oyo), High Chief Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku of Oyo), Chief Wahab Oyetunji (warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (warrant chief stand-in for Alapinni of Oyo)—expressed their disapproval through a letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN. The letter, addressed to Governor Makinde, was shared with journalists on Thursday 9th January, 2025.
The letter revealed that the governor, through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and the chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Governments, had appointed additional warrant chiefs—Chief Odurinde Olusegun (Alajagba of Ajagba) and Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja)—to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) in commencing a new selection process for the vacant stool.
The kingmakers stated that the two local government chairmen and the newly appointed warrant chiefs were summoned on 9 January 2025 to the office of the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. There, they were instructed to begin the fresh process despite a pending court case regarding the stool.
The letter accused the governor of undermining his constitutional duty and oath of office by proceeding with the selection process while a legal challenge remains unresolved. The kingmakers also referenced a past incident where Governor Makinde dissolved democratically elected local government chairmen in defiance of a court case—a move later condemned by the Supreme Court as an act of “executive lawlessness.”
The kingmakers urged the governor to suspend the fresh selection process, emphasizing the need to respect the judiciary and uphold the integrity of the courts.
The, five Oyo mesi however, insisted on the choice of Prince Lukman Gbadegeshin as the recommended new Alaafin.