Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that he met the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, for the first time on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Makinde revealed this on Monday during the presentation of the staff of office and certificate of recognition to the new monarch at the Oyo Government House, Ibadan.
It would be recalled that the governor announced Oba Owoade’s selection as the 46th Alaafin on January 10, 2025. However, the decision has been met with opposition from some members of the Oyomesi, who argued that the selection process contravened the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration. According to them, the Alaafin should have been chosen strictly in line with the declaration and not through consultation or divination as stated by the governor.
Addressing the controversy, Governor Makinde emphasised the sanctity of the Alaafin’s stool and his administration’s commitment to fairness in the selection process.
“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,” he said.
Clarifying his impartiality in the selection, Makinde added, “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.”
He further referenced his administration’s handling of other traditional institutions as evidence of his commitment to fairness. “Let me say this clearly: when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction,” he stated.
The governor also highlighted a similar situation involving the selection of the Okere of Saki. “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.”
Oba Owoade’s ascension comes amidst these debates, but Governor Makinde’s remarks underscore his administration’s commitment to preserving the dignity and integrity of traditional institutions in Oyo State.
