Five kingmakers in Oyo Town, Oyo State, have kicked against fresh selection of monarch for the vacant stool of the Alaafin.
 
They described the alleged move by the state government to kick-start another process for the vacant stool as illegal and a disregard for the judiciary. 
 
Recall that the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
 
Since then, a new Alaafin has not been chosen, but some steps towards the emergence of a replacement have been taken. 
 
There are insinuations that a new selection process might begin. 
 
In a letter issued by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), and addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday, the kingmakers rejected any such move.
 
The affected kingmakers are 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 the  Alapinní of Oyo. 
 
They said: “We have just been reliably ínformed by our client that you have just through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Governments appointed (i) Chief Odurinde Olusegun Alajagba of Ajagba) (ii) Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja) as warrant kíngmakers to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) to kick start the process of selecting another candidate to fill the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo.

“The two Local Government Chairmen and the said warrant chiefs and High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo), who are not in support of the decision of the majority of the kingmakers that selected Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect, were summoned today, 9th January, 2025 to the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs where they were ordered to commence a fresh process to fill the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo.”
 
The aggrieved explained that since there was a pending court case on the matter, the alleged attempt to kick start a new process was a disregard to the governor’s oath of office, legal and constitutional duty to abide by the Constitution, and give utmost regard to the court. 
 
They also noted that the move was similar to his past action when he reportedly disregarded a pending case before the court and proceeded to dissolve elected council chairmen.
 
Efforts to get the reaction of the state government through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, proved abortive.
 
Calls put to his phone were picked nor returned, even sent messages were not responded to at press time.