NewStats: 3,265,274 , 8,186,200 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 08:00 AM 53p62

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 PUNCH, 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 ed 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.

https://punchng.com/kingmakers-protest-as-makinde-appoints-new-alaafin/

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.

Politicians at work.

Those charged with selecting and recommending the rightful Alaafin have allowed politicians to meddle into their affairs if the one being promoted by the State Government is not the choice of the such powerful key of the Oyomesi.

The Governor is from Ibadan and he should be cautious with meddling in this issue so that his choice is not seen as one appointed by an Ibadan man or imposter on the throne leading to prolonged litigation and chaos.

Thesame iragbijis that will be quick to call others out but cannot put their own home in order,two emirs in Kano,two alafin in OYO….and you wonder why Nigeria is where it is today!

Okay.

Money divided the king makers. The king makers that endorsed Mr Owoade threw Ifa to the mud and opted for money, while those opposed to his kingship stood with whom Ifa chose. If na good old days, Mr Owoade dare not attempt to wear the alaafin crown if he still love his life.

H

Okay cool. But let there not be violence.

Someone pls assist me with any amount for foodstuffs please 🙏

Ok, heard

Congratulations to him.

Jolly dance from the new king


https://youtube.com/shorts/oO5Yd4H9dRA?si=O-veCNAFukvu9NSd

It is normal and expected.

JIC

It's disconcerting to see people with PhDs exhibit behavior that contradicts their purported sophistication. Instead of engaging in civil discourse, they resort to unbecoming conduct of uneducated people. I struggle to understand this inconsistency. If they claim to be intellectuals, I implore them to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their academic stature.

Is it the court that appoints Kings in Yoruba land, the Governor or the gods..?

IFA and kingmakers are no longer relevant.

It's the government that now install kings..

U sincerely think we should do away with this kingdom of a thing it's no longer relevant.

My humble opinion.

Na LG go dey pay Alaafin renumerations now o!

In Nigeria's chieftancy affairs these days,the governor is now the oracle and he has spoken...anything contrary,the stool will be vacant until the governor completes his tenure,.

FreeStuffsNG:
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.

Politicians at work.

Those charged with selecting and recommending the rightful Alaafin have allowed politicians to meddle into their affairs if the one being promoted by the State Government is not the choice of the such powerful key of the Oyomesi.

The Governor is from Ibadan and he should be cautious with meddling in this issue so that his choice is not seen as one appointed by an Ibadan man or imposter on the throne leading to prolonged litigation.

I don't know that the Governor is from Ibadan. I thought he's a resident in Ibadan. Before I was thinking he's from Oke Ogun side.

Politics in our traditional institution will erode our culture and ways of life.
Take politics out of our tradition, then our moral institution will be guided and protected

This is a serious issue. Traditionally, does it mean the gods have stopped appointing their spokesperson? Things of the gods is now go to court instead go to shrine.🤣😂🤣😂

No wonder I sensed something was off. I attributed to his age, but now I know why.

Same in lagos. Politicians meddling in kingship.

What happened to the gods? The only true king is the Oba of Benin, nobody 'appoints' him.

It is when you realize that

Traditional rulers were the political leaders of old

And

Political leaders are the traditional rulers of these days

Then you will understand why almost all traditional institutions have been bastardized

They should go to court

Who is lying 🤥 on the Oracle now ...

FreeStuffsNG:

https://punchng.com/kingmakers-protest-as-makinde-appoints-new-alaafin/

Aja ń bínú ó ń fi ẹsẹ halẹ, kini yio fi olówó rẹ ṣe

Bbb

They wan carry ori ade to court?

Court case will be plenty for dis issue
Will oyo state government now change what has been said??
I believe the governor heard from the right kingmaker before coming out publicly...makinde has to use his full power against those opposing this announcement ...Makinde silenced those who opposed d installation of SOUN OF OGBOMOSO..
Alafin s case is d next!..