Five Oyo town kingmakers and their preferred candidate for the Alaafin stool, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, on Wednesday, issued Governor Seyi Makinde a 30-day ultimatum to reverse the appointment of Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin or face a fresh legal action.

The ultimatum was contained in a letter dated January 14, 2025, written to Makinde by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Sobaloju, on behalf of Gbadegesin.

In yet a second  letter, also dated January 14, 2025, written by Sobaloju on behalf of the five kingmakers, they warned Makinde to refrain from maligning them by alleging bribery in the selection process for the Alaafin of Oyo.

They described Makinde’s resort to media attack on them was “unwarranted and unbecoming of the high standards expected of Your Excellency’s office.”

They warned the governor against crossing the line of defamation, stating: “Please recognise that you remain liable to prosecution for the defamatory acts committed by you in office, for which you may be held accountable after your period of immunity is over.”

The aggrieved kingmakers are the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; warrant chief standing in for Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunjii; warrant chief standing in for Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

Makinde had last Friday named Canada-based Owoade as the new Alaafin and on Monday presented him with a staff of office and letter of appointment.

Owoade’s announcement as the new Alaafin came a day after Sobaloju, in a statement last Thursday, warned Makinde tp respect a pending lawsuit on the stool by not naming anyone Alaafin other than Gbadegesin, whom the five kingmakers had earlier selected.

During a brief ceremony on Monday to present Owoade with the instruments of office, Makinde alleged that the previous selection process that produced Gbadegesin was rejected because it was fraught with corruption and bribery.

The governor vowed that he would revisit the case by prosecuting anyone who had taken a bribe.

But in their strong-worded letter to the governor on Thursday, the kingmakers took exception to Makinde’s allegation, challenging to go to court if he had his facts rather than resorting to media attack on them.

“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.

“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,” Sobaloju said in the letter on behalf of the kingmakers.

In the second letter on behalf of Gbadegesin, the SAN insisted that Owoade’s appointment by Makinde was illegal and unprocedural.

He alleged that Makinde usurped the role of the Oyomesi in the selection of Owoade as the Alaafin.

He maintained that the prior selection process, which produced Gbadegesin was the legitimate process.

“We request that the Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs address the issues raised and rectify these breaches within 30 days of receipt of this notice. Failure to do so will compel our client to seek appropriate legal redress in court,” Gbadegesin’s counsel prayed.

Gbadegesin argued that the governor was in breach in six aspects including failure to act on a valid appointment (unanimous selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin), unlawful interference with the selection process (violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for selection of the Alaafin).

Citing the violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, Gbadegesin’s counsel said Owoade’s appointment as Alaafin should be declared unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void.

He accused the governor of contravention of court judgment in alleged reliance on Ifa consultation which contradicts the judgment of the Oyo State High Court of 15th December 2022 which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as it is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Gbadegesin further argued that there was no official complaint of bribery to the governor or investigation instituted; that the governor did not remove or suspend any Oyomesi member yet unilaterally usurped their roles; and disregarded the majority decision in its selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin.

Gbadegesin’s counsel further prayed for, “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.”

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has threatened to prosecute kingmakers in Oyo Kingdom (Oyomesi) and others, who collected bribe or gratification in the selection process of the new Alaafin of Oyo.

He said any chief or anyone found guilty of bribe-taking during the selection process would face prosecution.

It would be recalled that five kingmakers (Oyomesi) declared the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as 46th and new Alaafin of Oyo by the governor as null and void because they did not recommend such name to the state government for ratification.

They insisted that the only person they recommended as the next Alaafin was Prince Luqman Gbadegesin.

However, the governor, while presenting staff of office and certificate to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, at the Government House in Ibadan, on Monday, emphasised on transparency and accountability in the selection process of the new monarch.

The governor described Oba Owoade as a leader poised to upholding the cultural and historical heritage of the Oyo Kingdom, noting that the Alaafin of Oyo is not just a traditional ruler but a custodian of rich history and tradition.

“I believe that Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade will lead with wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to the unity of the Oyo kingdom,” Makinde stated.

In his response, Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo and promised to prioritise the development of the kingdom and the welfare of the residents.

Oba Owoade was accompanied by a delegation of his subjects from Oyo town, marking a significant moment in the state’s traditional leadership history.

He, however, pledged to usher in a new era of leadership, with a focus on cultural preservation, youth development, and economic growth in the Oyo Kingdom.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Bashorun of Oyo and head of Oyomesi, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, said their lawyer should be contacted for reaction, saying he has nothing to say for now since the case is currently in court.

“I don’t know anything about it, I am not around, whatever you want to know, you can contact our lawyer because the case is currently in court, so, I can’t say anything outside the court. I am the Bashorun, I am not aspiring to become the Alaafin,” the High Chief stated.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has declared that individuals involved in illegally collecting money during the selection process for a new Alaafin of Oyo will face prosecution.

Makinde made this statement on Monday during the presentation of the Staff of Office to the newly appointed Alaafin, Abimbola Owoade, at his office in Ibadan.

In his speech, the governor emphasised the significance of the Alaafin stool, not only to the people of Oyo but also to the entire Yoruba race.

He said, “The Alaafin stool is very important, not just to Oyo State but to the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool is not for sale. It is not a stool for us to toy with.

 

“I met the prince for the first time in my life yesterday. I had never met him before. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool. It was deliberate because I didn’t want to add my own opinion or be in any way influenced.”

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The governor strongly condemned the politicisation of the royal institution and assured that, under his leadership, the selection process would remain free from financial manipulation.

Makinde added, “Some people said maybe it was political consideration. No. Politics and electioneering are games, but once you’ve been elected, governance is serious business. So, we will not play politics with governance.

“Those who are still hellbent on destabilising our traditional institutions in Oyo should beware — the government will not relent. We will prosecute them. The money they collected will not go unnoticed. Except the Kabiyesi forgive them, I will not forgive them either.”

He further announced, “The coronation proper will take place in four weeks, but today I will hand over the certificate and staff of office.”

TheNigerian Online reports that Owoade’s appointment as the 46th Alaafin-elect attracted an esteemed gathering of dignitaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, and jubilant Oyo indigenes.

Owoade’s ascension follows the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in April 2022, who ruled the Oyo Kingdom for five decades.

The new monarch’s reign is expected to usher in a new era focused on cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and economic growth for the kingdom.

Controversy has continued to trail the decision of Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, to appoint Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, as five kingmakers have kicked against the appointment.

The kingmakers described the appointment of Owoade as “Illegal and unlawful.”

It would be recalled that the Oyo State government had on Friday announced the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo, more than two years after the stool became vacant.

However, five Kingmakers from the town have declared the appointment null and void, saying that they did not recommend Owoade’s name to the state government.

They insisted that the only person they recommended as the next Alaafin was Prince Lukman Gbadegesin.
The kingmakers, who stated this in a letter addressed to the governor on Friday and signed by their lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), included High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Basorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo.

“You will recall that on September 30, 2022 at the meeting of the kingmakers in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration 1961, the kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by majority of the lawful votes of the kingmakers.

“Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin having obtained the majority of votes of the kingmakers present and voting was deemed accepted.

“His name was forwarded to Your Excellency as the candidate appointed by the kingmakers as Alaafin of Oyo for your approval, which you refused to do for no disclosed reason at all.

“The kingmakers, thereafter, filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, culminating in the present appeal at the Court of Appeal,” the letter read.

They noted that they were surprised that in the government’s announcement, it claimed that the selection was made after wide consultations and divination.

“We must emphatically state that the Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination, but in strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process for the vacant stool of Alaafin.

“Any meeting of few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs held at the governor’s office on January 9, 2025 or elsewhere at the instance of the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to select the preferred candidate of the governor as the new Alaafin is not only contrary to the native law and custom and Chieftaincy Declaration of Alaafin of Oyo, but unlawful, illegal, invalid, null and void,” they said.

Kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State, have protested the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Owoade’s appointment was announced on Friday in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, sparking controversy within traditional circles.

Oyelade said after extensive consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyomesi, the Oyo kingmakers, Owoade was recommended as the new Alaafin of Oyo and subsequently approved by Governor Makinde.

“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,” he said.

However, five prominent kingmakers in Oyo town rejected Owoade’s appointment.

The protesting kingmakers include the 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 representing the Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and a warrant chief representing the Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

The kingmakers argued that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin was the rightful Alaafin-elect, citing ongoing legal proceedings concerning the selection process.

In a letter signed by their legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju, SAN, they described the governor’s actions as illegal and urged the suspension of the process until the matter was resolved in court.

Titled “Re: Illegal & Unlawful Appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the New Alaafin of Oyo,” was made available to Saturday TheNigerian, the letter outlined the kingmakers’ opposition to the appointment.

It read in part, “On their resolute instruction, we write this letter concerning the purported unlawful and illegal appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

“You will recall that on September 30, 2022, at a meeting of the Kingmakers held in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, the Kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority of lawful votes. His name was forwarded to Your Excellency for approval, but you refused to approve it for undisclosed reasons. The Kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, which is now pending in the Court of Appeal.

“Your Excellency’s recent announcement of Prince Owoade’s appointment, claiming it was made after consultations and divinations, is contrary to the established legal process. The Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which governs the selection process. The Bashorun of Oyo, as the head of the Oyomesi, must summon a meeting for the selection, but no such meeting was convened. This decision amounts to executive recklessness and cannot withstand legal scrutiny.”

Meanwhile, the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has congratulated Prince Owoade on his ascension as the new Alaafin.

In a statement issued by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi described Owoade’s rise as a divine act, affirming it to be in accordance with God’s will.

Five kingmakers in Oyo town have faulted Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive to initiate a fresh selection process to pick a new Alaafin of Oyo, asserting that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has already been chosen as the Alaafin-elect.

The kingmakers opposing the governor’s action include the 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 standing in for Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and a warrant chief standing in for Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by their legal counsel, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), the kingmakers claimed the governor’s move disregards a pending court case concerning the selection process.

The letter, which was made available to newsmen on Thursday, read, “We have just been reliably informed by our clients that you have just through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Government appointed (i) Chief Odurinde Olusegun (Alajagba of Ajagba) (ii) Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja) as warrant kingmakers to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) to kickstart 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 Alafin-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.”

Sobaloju described the move as illegal and disrespectful to the judiciary, noting that the matter is still before the court.

He warned that disregarding the court’s authority undermines governance and violates the constitution.

He likened the move to a previous incident where Makinde disregarded court proceedings to dissolve democratically elected local government chairmen.

He added, “Proceeding to commence a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo would be subjudice and tantamount to lawlessness and disregard of the superior courts of record, an act which Your Excellency ought to distance yourself from.

“We, therefore, once more request and urge Your Excellency to suspend any plan to kick start fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo during the pendency of a motion for injunction, pending appeal in obedience to law and integrity of our courts.”

There has been a crisis over the selection of a new monarch following the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 81 after a 52-year reign.

Five prominent kingmakers in Oyo town have rejected the move by Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to kickstart a fresh process for the selection of a new monarch to occupy the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo.

The kingmakers, who opposed the new selection process include High Chief Yusuf Akinade, Basorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief standing-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief standing-in for Alapinni of Oyo.

They described the fresh move as illegal and a disregard for the judiciary.

The stance of the kingmakers, known as Oyomesi, was made known in a letter addressed to Governor Makinde, which was signed on their behalf by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

“We have just been reliably informed by our clients that you have just through the Oyo State Commissíoner 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 Alaafin 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 Alafin-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 Alaafin of Oyo,” Sobaloju said.

He noted that since there was a pending court case on the matter, the governor’s attempt to kickstart a new process was a disregard to his oath of office, judiciary and the country’s constitution.

Sobaloju added that the governor’s move was similar to his past action when he disregarded a pending case before the court and proceeded to dissolve democratically-elected local government councils in the State, which the Supreme Court eventually condemned and described as a “Disturbing ugly face of impunity displayed by the Governor of Oyo State, tantamounting to executive lawlessness.”

“Proceeding to commence a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo would be subjudice and tantamount to lawlessness and disregard of the superior courts of record, an act which Your Excellency ought to distance yourself from.

“We, therefore, once more request and urge Your Excellency to suspend any plan to kickstart fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo during the pendency of a motion for injunction, pending appeal in obedience to law and integrity of our courts,” he added.

It would be recalled that the Oyo throne became vacant after Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.