By Kolawole Ojebisi
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally approved the selection of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
This decision is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade on Friday.
According to the statement, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade was selected among other princes after thorough consultations and divination.
It added that Owoade’s name , has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by the Governor of Oyo State.
Speaking in a similar vein, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, 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 statement reads.
“The Commissioner prays that his reign will bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.”
The announcement comes about a day after a five-member faction of the Oyemesi wrote to Makinde, asking the governor to refrain from interfering in the selection process for a new Alaafin.
In a letter signed by Kazeem Sobaloju, their legal counsel, and addressed to Makinde, the kingmakers claimed the governor’s move violates a pending court case on the selection process.
They insisted that the kingmakers had already chosen Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect.
The kingmakers in the faction include Yusuf Akinade, (Basorun), Wakeel Akindele, (Lagunna), Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku), Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief standing in for the (Asipa), Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief standing in for (Alapinni).
The historic Oyo throne has been vacant for the past two years following the demise of the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi popularly known as Iku Baba Yeye, who reigned for 52 years (1970-2022)
