Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, recently disclosed that he first met the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Makinde made this revelation during the presentation of the staff and certificate of recognition at the Oyo government house in Ibadan.
This statement comes after Makinde’s announcement of Owoade as the new Alaafin on January 10, which was met with resistance from some members of the Oyomesi.
The Oyomesi argued that the Alaafin should be selected in accordance with the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration, rather than through the consultation and divination process mentioned by Makinde.
His words: “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with.
Oba Abimbola Owoade
“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool, and it was deliberate, because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.
“Let me say this clearly: when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadan land and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers.”
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