Kingmakers Makinde Alaafin
Five Oyo town kingmakers and their preferred candidate for the Alaafin stool, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo or face legal action.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the ultimatum, conveyed in a letter dated January 14, 2025, by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Sobaloju, accused the governor of illegally appointing Owoade in violation of established processes and traditions.
A second letter, also dated January 14, challenged Makinde’s allegations of bribery during the initial selection process, describing them as defamatory and unwarranted.
Makinde had announced Owoade’s appointment last Friday, presenting him with a staff of office and a letter of appointment on Monday. He alleged corruption in the earlier process that selected Gbadegesin and vowed to prosecute anyone found guilty.
The kingmakers—Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; and two warrant chiefs—rejected the allegations and demanded the governor present any evidence in court rather than resort to media attacks.
In their letter, the kingmakers emphasized that the Oyomesi, as custodians of Oyo tradition, had followed due process in unanimously selecting Gbadegesin.
They argued that Makinde’s appointment of Owoade contravened the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, the Chief’s Law of Oyo State (2000), and a 2022 High Court judgment that invalidated Ifa consultation in the selection process.
Gbadegesin’s legal counsel called for the nullification of Owoade’s appointment, urging the court to affirm Gbadegesin as the rightful Alaafin. They also sought injunctions to prevent Owoade from acting as Alaafin and restrain the government from recognizing him.
Kingmakers Makinde Alaafin
The dispute has raised tensions in Oyo, with kingmakers insisting that tradition and legality must be upheld in filling the prestigious Alaafin stool.
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