Alaafin: Five Oyo kingmakers give Makinde 30 days to reverse Owoade’s appointment

In an escalation of the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo, five prominent kingmakers and their preferred candidate, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde.

Through their legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kunle Sobaloju, they demanded that Governor Makinde reverse the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin, failing which they will pursue legal action.

The kingmakers, namely the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; and representatives for Asipa of Oyo and Alapinni of Oyo, strongly objected to Governor Makinde’s decision.

In a separate letter, they also warned the governor against his public pronouncements alleging bribery within their selection process.

“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,” stated Sobaloju in the letter. “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.”

The move came after Governor Makinde, on January 16th, presented the office staff to Prince Akeem Owoade, officially appointing him as the new Alaafin. The appointment followed a controversial selection process and came despite a pending lawsuit filed by Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, the candidate supported by the five kingmakers.

Prince Gbadegesin, through his legal counsel, argued that Governor Makinde’s appointment was illegal and unprocedural, citing several violations of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

The SAN argued that Makinde’s decision usurped the kingmakers’—Oyomesi—authority; disregarded the prior selection of Prince Gbadegesin, which was legitimate and should have been honoured; violated a previous court judgement that declared Ifa consultations in the selection process unlawful; and lacked due process where no official investigation or removal of any kingmaker was conducted despite allegations of bribery.

Gbadegesin’s legal team, therefore, demanded that Governor Makinde set aside the appointment of Prince Owoade; approve the appointment of Prince Gbadegesin as the rightful Alaafin; injunctions be issued to prevent Prince Owoade from acting as Alaafin and restrain the governor from recognising his appointment.

Gbadegesin’s prayers are: “An order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as It was done In violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, Invalid, null and void.

“A declaration that Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo by Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.

“An order directing the Governor of Oyo State to immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.

“An order of injunction restraining Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade from parading himself as Alaafin of Oyo and or performing the functions of the Alaafin of Oyo or exercising the powers or authority attached to the office and or occupying the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.

“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, their agents servants and or privies from recognising Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo and or paying him the stipends, allowances, salaries and all the prerequisites of office attached to the position of Alaafin of Oyo.”