By Kolawole Ojebisi
Oyo kingmakers, known as Oyomesi in popular parlance, have challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to address the grievances he has against them through litigation instead of resorting to attacking their personalities.
The kingmakers asked Makinde to go to court and tender his own evidence of corruption against them if he has any.
This is coming almost a week after the Oyo State governor announced Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
Recall that the kingmakers had earlier nominated Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as successor to the departed Lamidi Adeyemi III who died almost three years ago.
Makinde, however, disregarded the recommendation alleging that the kingmakers were bribed to make the move.
The governor made this allegation public in his speech at the presentation of staff of office to the new Alaafin.
Reacting to the allegation, the Kingmakers described the governor’s action as unacceptable.
They expressed their displeasure in a letter to the Governor signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN.
“We recognize Your Excellency’s right to defend your actions in court, given the ongoing legal challenge to your recent decision. However, we respectfully remind Your Excellency that the court is the appropriate forum for presenting evidence and arguments.
“The Oyomesi, in their respect for the high office of the Governor of Oyo State, have refrained from joining issues with you in the public arena. It is, therefore, disheartening that Your Excellency continues to make public statements that cast aspersions on their integrity.
“We urge Your Excellency to refrain from resorting to a trial by media or the court of public opinion in a bid to confer legitimacy on recent unlawful acts of the state, under your command. If there is any evidence to support these allegations, we respectfully advise that it should be brought before the court, where it can be properly examined and addressed.
“Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who are custodians of tradition and highly respected in the Oyo Kingdom, undermines not only their reputation but also the sanctity of the ongoing judicial process and defamatory of our clients.”
They added that they have maintained their integrity and remained committed to upholding the traditions and customs of the Oyo Kingdom and as such consider the continued attempt at public trial of their character as unwarranted and unbecoming of the high standards expected of the office of the Governor.
“Please recognize that you remain liable to prosecution for the defamatory acts committed by you in office, for which you may be held accountable after your period of immunity is over,” they added.
