‘List Of Rules Broken By Makinde To Appoint New Alaafin Emerge’

The Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, has announced Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, bypassing the selection process led by the Oyomesi, Oyo’s traditional council of kingmakers.

Naijaonpoint understands that this move, announced on Friday, has sparked widespread criticism and deepened tensions over the vacant stool of the Alaafin, a revered Yoruba traditional title.

The position of Alaafin became vacant following the death of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022.

The Oyomesi, entrusted with selecting the next Alaafin under the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, began the selection process after receiving approval from the Atiba Local Government in August 2022.

After screening 82 aspirants from the Agunloye Ruling House, the Oyomesi unanimously selected Lukman Gbadegesin, a grandson of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin (1956–1966), on September 30, 2022.

The Atiba Local Government communicated this decision to the governor on October 4, 2022, as mandated by Section 20 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.

The law provides a 21-day period for objections to be filed by dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses.

However, no petitions were submitted within this period. A subsequent legal challenge by a dissatisfied aspirant was dismissed by the Oyo State High Court on December 19, 2022, which upheld the validity of the selection process.

During the legal proceedings, the state government defended the Oyomesi-led selection process, further solidifying its legitimacy.

Despite these developments, Governor Makinde withheld his approval of Gbadegesin’s appointment for over a year.

On January 10, 2025, he announced Abimbola Owoade, another member of the Agunloye Ruling House, as the Alaafin-designate.

This decision has been widely criticised as a breach of the 1961 declaration, which grants the Oyomesi, led by the Bashorun of Oyo, exclusive authority to select the Alaafin.

The Oyomesi rejected the governor’s appointment, accusing him of undermining tradition and legal provisions. Two members of the council had previously attempted to withdraw their support for Gbadegesin, alleging bribery, but no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.

Owoade, the governor’s choice, is also from the Agunloye Ruling House and traces his lineage to Prince Owoade, a younger brother of Alaafin Siyanbola Ladigbolu (1911–1944).

While his royal heritage is acknowledged, critics argue that the governor’s unilateral appointment sets a dangerous precedent.

According to Premium Times, here are the breaches in the selection of Owoade:

No Official Petition: The governor received no official petition from dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses within the legally mandated period. The two Oyomesi members who later opposed the selection lacked the basis to challenge the process, according to the law.

Disregard for Court Ruling: The December 2022 court ruling affirmed that the customary law guiding the selection of the Alaafin does not require consulting the Ifa oracle. However, in a widely circulated video, Yoruba scholar Professor Wande Abimbola claimed the governor engaged him to consult Ifa in selecting the new Alaafin, allegedly violating the court’s ruling.

Usurpation of Oyomesi’s Powers: Despite an earlier selection by Oyomesi, the governor hurriedly convened his own selection meeting, including two warrants chiefs, and appointed a candidate for the prestigious throne.

Hours after Mr Owoade’s selection was announced, the Oyomesi declared their rejection of the appointment and sources close to the chiefs said they are approaching the court to set aside Mr Makinde’s action.