The end to the tussle over the Alaafin of Oyo ancient stool appears still far despite the approval of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new monarch for the town by the state government.
On January 10, the governor of the state Seyi Makinde, approved the appointment of Owoade as the new monarch for the town as the 56th Alaafin, and presented him a staff of office.
In spite of the state government’s seal on Owoade’s appointment, some members of Oyomesi, the body of Kingmakers in the town rejected it, supporting Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the rightful candidate for the position.
Gbadegesin, acting on the position of some of the Kingmakers has now dragged the state government to court, saying he should be appointed based on the decision of the Oyomesi.
The angry prince, in a suit filed on February 12 is demanding the reversal of Owoade’s appointment , suggesting that the government’s action is a violation of the state Chiefs Law of 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
In the suit filed through his counsel Kunle Sobaloju, the prince said Owoade should be restricted from performing the function of Alaafing until the matter is fully resolved, including that he should declared as the rightful occupier of the position.
Prince Gbadegesin also requested in the suit that the defendants must be compelled to appear in the court within 30 days.
Apart from the state government, others joined in the suit as defendants include Governor Makinde, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, amongst others.
He contends that since the appointment of Owoade by Governor Makinde did not follow due process, it must not be allowed to stand, the government’s action should be declared null and void, he said.
Gbadegesin’s prayers before the court: “A declaration that the claimant having been validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and or proclaimed by the kingmakers of the Alaafin of Oyo (known as Oyomesi) as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”
The court, he said, should “immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of the claimant as validly nominated by Agunloye Ruling House and or selected/appointed and proclaimed by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.”
The contest for the Alaafin stool started after the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on Friday, April 22, 2022 with princes from the ruling families laying claim to the position.
The dirty contest came to a head after the state government accused Prince Gbadegesin of bribing the Oyomesi to support him for the position.
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