The Oyo town kingmakers have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde, demanding the reversal of Akeem Owoade’s appointment as the Alaafin of Oyo. The kingmakers, who prefer Prince Lukman Gbadegesin for the stool, claim that Owoade’s appointment is illegal and improper. In a letter dated January 14, 2025, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Sobaloju, argued that Governor Makinde overstepped his authority by appointing Owoade, thereby breaching the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
The kingmakers, comprising the Basorun of Oyo, Laguna of Oyo, Akinniku of Oyo, and representatives of Asipa and Alapinni of Oyo, condemned Governor Makinde’s allegations of bribery in the selection process. They challenged him to present evidence in court rather than resorting to media attacks, warning that his actions could be deemed defamatory.
They further warned the governor not to cross the line into defamation, stating: “Please recognize that you remain liable to prosecution for the defamatory acts committed by you in office, for which you may be held accountable after your period of immunity is over.”
The five aggrieved kingmakers are the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; the warrant chief representing Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunjii; and the warrant chief representing Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.
Governor Makinde had last Friday named Akeem Owoade, based in Canada, as the new Alaafin, and on Monday, he presented him with the staff of office and a letter of appointment.
Owoade’s appointment came just a day after Sobaloju had issued a statement on Thursday, warning Makinde to respect the pending lawsuit on the stool and not appoint anyone other than Gbadegesin, who had been selected by the five kingmakers.
During the ceremony on Monday, Makinde alleged that the selection process that resulted in Gbadegesin’s nomination had been tainted by corruption and bribery, and he vowed to prosecute anyone found guilty of taking a bribe.
However, in their strongly-worded letter to the governor, the kingmakers took offense at Makinde’s allegations, challenging him to present evidence in court rather than resorting to media attacks.
“Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who are custodians of tradition and highly respected in the Oyo kingdom, undermines not only their reputation but also the sanctity of the ongoing judicial process and defamatory of our clients.
“We urge Your Excellency to refrain from resorting to a trial by media or the court of public opinion in a bid to confer legitimacy on recent unlawful acts of the state, under your command.
“If there is any evidence to support these allegations, we respectfully advise that it should be brought before the court, where it can be properly examined and addressed,” Sobaloju said in the letter on behalf of the kingmakers.
In the second letter on behalf of Gbadegesin, the SAN argued that Owoade’s appointment by Makinde was both illegal and improper.
He claimed that Makinde had overstepped his authority by taking on the role of the Oyomesi in appointing Owoade as the Alaafin.
He further asserted that the earlier selection process, which resulted in Gbadegesin being chosen, was the rightful and legitimate procedure.
“We request that the Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs address the issues raised and rectify these breaches within 30 days of receipt of this notice. Failure to do so will compel our client to seek appropriate legal redress in court,” Gbadegesin’s counsel prayed.
Gbadegesin contended that the governor violated six key aspects, including failing to act on a valid appointment, which was the unanimous selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, and unlawfully interfering with the selection process.
This interference, he argued, breached the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which grants the Oyomesi sole authority over the selection of the Alaafin.
Referencing the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, Gbadegesin’s legal team maintained that the appointment of Owoade as Alaafin should be declared unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.
The governor was also accused of violating a court ruling by allegedly relying on an Ifa consultation, which contradicted the Oyo State High Court’s December 15, 2022 decision.
That ruling declared Ifa consultation unlawful in the selection process, as it was not included in the 1961 Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration.
Additionally, Gbadegesin pointed out that no formal complaint of bribery had been made to the governor, nor was there an investigation initiated.
The governor had not removed or suspended any Oyomesi members, yet he had unilaterally overstepped their authority and ignored the majority decision to select Prince Lukman Gbadegesin.
Gbadegesin’s counsel further prayed for, “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as It was done In violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, Invalid, null and void.
“A declaration that Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo by Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.
“An order directing the Governor of Oyo State to immediately and forthwith approve the appointment of Prince Lukman Adelodun Ayinla Gbadegesin validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“An order of injunction restraining Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade from parading himself as Alaafin of Oyo and or performing the functions of the Alaafin of Oyo or exercising the powers or authority attached to the office and or occupying the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, their agents servants and or privies from recognising Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo and or paying him the stipends, allowances, salaries and all the prerequisites of office attached to the position of Alaafin of Oyo.”
