Trouble is already brewing in the Oyo Kingdom, as Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has vehemently opposed Prince Abimbola Owoade’s ascension to the Alaafin of Oyo throne.
Prince Gbadegesin has taken legal steps to stop Owoade’s reign, as he believes he should be the right person to be the Alaafin of Oyo. Gbadegesin is being backed by the majority of Oyo kingmakers who oppose Governor Seyi Makinde’s appointment of Prince Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo.
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Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN, the legal representative of Prince Gbadegesin, served a notice to Makinde challenging his right to appoint Owoade, as it violates Oyo State Chiefs’ Law 2000 and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
The notice reads, “By announcing a different candidate, the Governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which grants the Oyomesi the exclusive authority for selecting the Alaafin.”
It also states that Governor Seyi Makinde’s consultation of Ifa before the appointment is unlawful and should not be regarded, as it goes against the established laws of Oyo Kingdom and the Oyo High Court.
“The Governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgment of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as it is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.”
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Gbadegesin’s legal representatives are seeking to stop Owoade’s ascension and formally declare Gbadegesin as the legal and rightful Alaafin of Oyo, which has been confirmed by the Oyo Kingmakers.
This legal battle between both princes and the governor is bound to raise more tension in the state, and this might further weaken the governor’s involvement in the Alaafin of Oyo selection.
However, while the legal battle is ongoing, Prince Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo elect, prepares for his 21-day ascension traditional rites to the throne.
