Makinde Ignores Protests,  Presents Staff Of Office To Owoade As New Alaafin

By Ayodele Oni

Oyomesis absent

Not minding the protests and looming legal tussle over the selection of new Alaafin of Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented staff of office and certificate of appointment to Prince Akeem Abimbola Owoade.

The ceremony was held in the early hours of Monday, apparently to beat any possible court action which can possibly stall the ceremony.

It was held at the governor’s office in Ibadan, the state capital and was attended by some political office holders.

Governor, Seyi Makinde, had on Friday approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The announcement was made in a statement  by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade. Owoade succeeds Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who joined his ancestors about three years ago.

Oyelade explained that Owoade was chosen after extensive consultations and traditional divinations conducted by the Oyo kingmakers, the Oyomesi.

According to the statement, “Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the new Alaafin of Oyo.”

Five Oyo Kingmakers, traditionally known as Oyomesi, however faulted Governor Seyi Makinde, over the choice and endorsement of the new Alaafin of Oyo.

Their protest and disagreement just before the appointment of  Owoade to the revered stool came in form of a letter addressed to the Governor by the Kingmakers.

The letter to the Governor follows described as unnecessary a new selection process of Alaafin after they had concluded the process and agreed on Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect.

The letter, signed on behalf of the Kingmakers – Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele, the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, a Warrant Chief who stood in for Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji, and a Warrant Chief who stood in for Alapinni of Oyo, Chief  Gbadebo Mufutau – Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN, said the Governor’s action in starting a new process, is a direct disregard of a pending Court case regarding the selection process.