A major dispute has erupted in Oyo as the town’s kingmakers have rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, a decision announced by Governor Seyi Makinde. In a statement released on Friday, five kingmakers declared the appointment null and void, stating it did not follow the traditional selection process outlined in the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and 1967.
According to the kingmakers, Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin was the legitimate candidate, chosen by the majority vote during a meeting held on September 30, 2022. They accused the state government of bypassing their recommendation and initiating a process that contravened established customs and legal frameworks.
“You will recall that the Kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority vote, and his name was forwarded to your Excellency for approval, which was unjustly denied,” the statement read.
The kingmakers emphasized that the Alaafin’s selection is governed by strict adherence to native laws, not through consultation or divination as claimed by the government. They criticized the government for convening a meeting of a few kingmakers and warrant chiefs to appoint a candidate of their preference, described it as unlawful and invalid.
“It is not the duty of the Governor to select or appoint a new Alaafin. The process used on January 9 and 10, 2025, violates the Chieftaincy Declaration and native law,” the kingmakers stated.
The dispute has escalated into a legal battle, with the kingmakers seeking to prevent what they perceive as a political imposition on the revered stool of the Alaafin of Oyo. The court of appeal is expected to rule on the matter in the coming weeks, as tensions continue to rise in the ancient town.
