By Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially presented the staff of office and certificate to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s office in Ibadan on Monday.
However, not everyone is happy with Owoade’s appointment. Some kingmakers from Oyo town have rejected his appointment, calling it “illegal and unlawful.” They claim that they didn’t recommend Owoade’s name to the state government and instead chose Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the next Alaafin.
In a letter to Governor Makinde, the kingmakers explained that they had followed the traditional process of selecting a new Alaafin, as outlined in the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961. They said that Prince Gbadegesin had been chosen by a majority vote, but Governor Makinde had refused to approve his appointment.
Despite the controversy, Governor Makinde has warned that any chiefs found to have taken bribes during the selection process will be prosecuted. Oba Owoade, meanwhile, has promised to prioritize the development of Oyo town and the welfare of its residents.
