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 Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin or face legal action.

The ultimatum was communicated in two separate letters dated January 14, 2025, by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Sobaloju, acting on behalf of Gbadegesin and the kingmakers.

Objection to Owoade’s Appointment

The kingmakers, including the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, and four others, argued that the appointment of Owoade violated established procedures for selecting an Alaafin. They insisted that their earlier selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin was the legitimate process as outlined in the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Gbadegesin’s counsel stated, “The governor acted unlawfully and unprocedurally by interfering with the selection process, thereby usurping the role of the Oyomesi.”

Citing six breaches of law, including the failure to act on a valid appointment, interference with the selection process, and reliance on Ifa consultation, which had been declared unlawful by the Oyo State High Court in December 2022, Sobaloju described Owoade’s appointment as invalid and unconstitutional.

Demand for Reversal

Gbadegesin’s counsel demanded:

• A reversal of Owoade’s appointment and the approval of Gbadegesin as the rightful Alaafin.
• An injunction restraining Owoade from parading himself as Alaafin or performing associated duties.
• A directive for the governor to comply with the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Failure to comply within 30 days, they warned, would result in legal redress.

Kingmakers Reject Allegations of Bribery

The kingmakers also expressed outrage at Governor Makinde’s allegations of bribery in the earlier selection process. In their letter, they described the governor’s statements as defamatory and warned him to desist from maligning their reputation.

“Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who are custodians of tradition, undermines their reputation and the sanctity of the judicial process. If there is evidence of bribery, we advise the governor to present it in court,” Sobaloju stated.

The kingmakers emphasized that there had been no official complaints or investigations of bribery against any Oyomesi member, and the governor’s actions were unjustified.

Governor Makinde’s Position

On January 13, 2025, Governor Makinde announced Owoade’s appointment and presented him with the staff of office on January 15. During the ceremony, the governor justified his decision, claiming that the previous selection process was marred by corruption and lacked transparency. He also vowed to prosecute anyone found guilty of bribery.

Legal and Traditional Implications

The conflict over the Alaafin stool has highlighted tensions between tradition and government authority. The Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 vests the selection authority solely with the Oyomesi. Gbadegesin’s supporters argue that the governor’s interference undermines the traditional process.

This dispute follows the historical complexities of the Alaafin succession, where the role of traditional institutions, the judiciary, and government involvement frequently intersect.

Next Steps

If Governor Makinde fails to act within the 30-day ultimatum, Gbadegesin and the kingmakers plan to proceed with legal action to challenge Owoade’s appointment and seek a reversal. The outcome could set a precedent for balancing government authority and traditional leadership in chieftaincy matters.