Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, congratulated Prince Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin-elect, on his appointment as the new Alaafin of Oyo on Saturday and urged him to mobilize other candidates for the town’s development.
This was said in a statement that was obtained in Osogbo on Saturday and signed by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at Ooni’s Palace.
The monarch stated that the late traditional ruler ruled Oyo with admirable and sterling leadership characteristics, and he expressed trust in the Alaafin-elect’s ability to carry on the long-lasting legacy of his predecessors, especially the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
He praised Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, for creating the favorable conditions and facilitating the seamless transition that has now ushered in a new period of royalty.
Ooni’s congratulations comes amidst opposition to Prince Owoade’s approval as Alaafin by Governor Makinde.
Recall that announcement of Prince Owoade has generated controversies and resistance from certain quarters.
In a dramatic turn of event, five notable kingmakers in Oyo Town have rejected the State Government approval of Prince Owoade as New Alafin of Oyo. Claiming the action of Governor Seyi Makinde is illegal.
.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.
In the letter titled “Re: Illegal & Unlawful Appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the New Alaafin of Oyo,”
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.”