By Abiola Olawale
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially presented the instruments of office to Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, marking his formal ascension as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
This event took place on January 13, 2025, signifying the state government’s endorsement of Owoade’s reign.
This comes after the Oyo state government, last week announced the appointment of Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo.
The appointment of Oba Owoade follows the death of the previous Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on April 22, 2022.
The Oyo state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said Owoade was appointed after a selection process that involved thorough consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, the traditional council of kingmakers, before the governor’s approval.
However, the appointment of Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Makinde has been met with serious opposition from the traditional kingmakers of Oyo.
Five out of seven members of the Oyomesi (the kingmakers) have described the appointment as illegal, unacceptable and invalid.
These kingmakers, including the Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Layinka; the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; and the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamza Yusuf, among others, have insisted that they did not recommend Owoade to the state government.
Instead, they claim that they had previously selected Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect in a meeting held on September 30, 2022, by the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
They argue that the selection process should strictly follow the 1967 Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, which outlines the native law and custom for appointing the Alaafin, and not by consultation or divination as claimed by the governor of Oyo state in his announcement.
