“According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was simply bluffing when he threatened to take legal action against the five kingmakers of Oyo Town who rejected Prince Akeem Owoade’s selection as the 45th Alaafin of Oyo.”
Makinde made the warning on Monday while presenting the certificate and instruments of office to Owoade at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. There, he vowed that any of the kingmakers (Oyomesi) who took bribes in selecting a successor to the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemo 111 should refund the bribe or face prosecution.
In response to the threat, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, issued the following statement: “The governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, has threatened to take legal action against the five kingmakers of Oyo Town who rejected the appointment of Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin. The warning was given on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the office staff’s presentation to Owoade.
According to Makinde, he was willing to dismiss the ‘charges’ if they petitioned Oba Akeem Owoade, the newly anointed Alaafin of Oyo, for forgiveness. In his own words, “The money they collected will still be prosecuted unless they go to Kabiyesi.” If he forgives them, I will forgive them too. After forcing his handpicked candidate on the good people of Oyo, the governor is now driving the opposition into the palace. Following a massive criminal act, the carrot and stick strategy is being used. Makinde is faking.
This is complete nonsense.”Seyi Makinde has also accused Oyomesi of accepting a bribe from one of the contestants.” This is serious allegation. MURIC is forced to ask the governor to present evidence to back up this serious charge. “It remains supposition until the governor presents evidence. Until then, Makinde may say such to the Marines. It’s arm twisting. We pray that the Oyomesi do not succumb to this.
The governor of Oyo State has undermined the separation of powers idea. He represents both the executive and the judiciary. Makinde sits in an imagined court of law, pronounces a crime, reads the offence, then pronounces the judgment.
“We can imagine the courtroom scenario as His Excellency The Lord Justice’s voice rings out, ‘I hereby sentence the offenders to a remorseful visit to the palace with hundreds of prostrations by the beaded chiefs of Oyomesi before the anointed king or jail terms yet to be determined for accepting bribe’. Courrrrrrt! “Nigerians are not foolish. Neither are the good Yorubas. Makinde seeks to legalize the illegitimate. But try as he may, he cannot delay the Nigerian democratic calendar, which is planned for May, 2027. We’re enjoying the comedy.”