Makinde Kicks Off Oyo At 50 Celebration, Alaafin, Soun Absent

Two prominent monarchs in Oyo State, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, were conspicuously absent at the official flag-off of the state’s 50th anniversary celebration held on Monday.

The event, hosted at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, was attended by family members of former governors, traditional rulers, political leaders, religious figures, and top government officials.

However, the empty seats reserved for the two monarchs stirred fresh reactions, especially in light of the ongoing debate over the rotational leadership of the Oyo State Council of Obas.

Governor Seyi Makinde, while recently inaugurating Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as chairman of the council, announced a new rotational structure for the leadership of the traditional council, which had previously been chaired permanently by the Alaafin.

While Makinde claimed the new arrangement had the backing of the Alaafin and Soun, the Alaafin quickly issued a rebuttal, saying he was never part of such discussions. Monday’s ceremony marked the first major state event since that controversy.

Makinde Cuts Anniversary Cake, Reflects On Legacy

Despite the absence of the two monarchs, the event proceeded with Governor Makinde delivering a keynote address and cutting the state’s golden jubilee cake.

He reiterated his administration’s focus on economic transformation, job creation, investment attraction, and inclusive development.

“The next 50 years must bring greater prosperity, fairness, dignity, and hope for all our citizens,” Makinde declared.

He paid tribute to former Governor Bola Ige, praising his focus on free education and equal opportunity, which he said shaped Oyo’s values and governance philosophy.

The governor also introduced a digital tribute platform where residents had submitted stories of opportunity, resilience, and enterprise as part of the celebration.

“These stories are not just tributes; they are evidence of opportunity, enterprise, hope, and belonging,” he said, citing one example of a youth corps member who invested his allowance in fashion design training during his NYSC year.

Earlier, the chairman of the anniversary planning committee and former House of Reps member, Saheed Fijabi, underscored the importance of the celebration as both a reflection of the past and a commitment to the future.

In his remarks, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan and new chairman of the Obas council, urged the government to remember unsung heroes and political leaders who played foundational roles in building the state. He named Chief Kolapo Ishola, Ahmed Gbadamosi, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, and others whose legacies still resonate in the state’s development.

Naijaonpoint understands that the absence of both the Alaafin and Soun, particularly during such a landmark celebration, may point to deepening tensions within the traditional council, possibly linked to Makinde’s decision to restructure its leadership.

Nonetheless, Makinde insisted that the government remains committed to inclusive governance, innovation, and citizen empowerment.

“This is not just a celebration of our past, but a reimagining of our future,” the governor said.

The week-long anniversary programme continues, with a public lecture, cultural exhibitions, and awards night scheduled ahead of the grand finale on January 27.