In a historic decision, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
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The announcement, made by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, on Friday, comes after an extensive selection process involving consultations and traditional divinations conducted by the Oyomesi, the council of Oyo kingmakers.
Oyelade described Owoade’s selection as the result of thorough traditional procedures, adding that the governor’s approval marks a significant step forward for the ancient kingdom.
The appointment puts an end to a leadership vacuum that has persisted since the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the former Alaafin, who passed away on April 22, 2022. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademola Ojo, emphasized that the decision resolves the socio-legal controversies that had surrounded the selection process for over a year.
He called on the people of Oyo State to support the newly appointed Alaafin, noting that his leadership would bring stability to the revered institution and the community at large.
However, the process has not been without opposition. On Thursday, five key members of the Oyomesi rejected the governor’s decision, insisting that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin had already been chosen as the Alaafin-elect.
These kingmakers, led by Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, along with High Chiefs Wakeel Akindele, Hamzat Yusuf, and warrant chiefs Wahab Oyetunji and Gbadebo Mufutau, argued through their legal counsel, Adekunle Sobaloju, that Makinde’s actions were premature and in violation of ongoing court proceedings. They urged the government to suspend the process until the court delivers its verdict on the matter.
Despite the legal and traditional challenges, Oyelade expressed optimism about the reign of the new Alaafin. He called for unity among the people of Oyo State and encouraged them to rally behind Prince Owoade, emphasizing the need for peace and cooperation as the kingdom embraces this new chapter.
He also expressed hope that Owoade’s leadership would bring progress and harmony to the community, further strengthening the legacy of the Alaafin institution.
The appointment underscores the tension between traditional practices and modern governance in Nigeria’s royal institutions.
As Oyo State prepares to welcome a new monarch, the lingering legal dispute adds a layer of complexity to what is otherwise a significant milestone in the state’s history.