Oyo kingmakers have rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s choice of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the next Alaafin, calling it unlawful and a breach of the customary selection procedure. Five kingmakers said in a statement released Friday that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin is still the rightful heir to the cherished kingdom and that the designation is void.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Kingmakers Mention Earlier Appointment Procedure In line with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, 1961, the Kingmakers met on September 30, 2022, and Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin was chosen as the Alaafin of Oyo by the majority of the Kingmakers’ legitimate votes, according to the statement. Furthermore, they clarified that Governor Makinde was asked to approve Prince Gbadegesin’s name, but the governor declined to take any action without giving an explanation.
“After that, the Kingmakers filed a lawsuit to prevent Your Excellency from ending the process, which led to the current appeal at the Court of Appeal,” the Kingmakers continued. Rebuttal to Claims of Consultation and Divination The kingmakers, according to Naija News, were shocked by the government’s assertion that Owoade was chosen following extensive deliberation and divination.
We must clearly state that the Alaafin is chosen strictly in accordance with the 1967 Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process for the open Alaafin seat, rather than through consultation or divination,” they said.
The reported conference called by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was denounced by the kingmakers for allegedly going outside the established procedure.
The kingmakers stated that it is not only against native law and custom and the Chieftaincy Declaration of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy, but also unlawful, illegal, invalid, and null and void for a few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs to meet at the governor’s office or somewhere else at the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in order to choose the governor’s preferred candidate as the new Alaafin.
They said that Governor Makinde had overreached himself and that it was not his responsibility to call a meeting in order to choose or install a new Alaafin.
In the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration, the kingmakers confirmed their adherence to the customary procedures. They claimed that this hasty nomination violates the Alaafin’s sacred institution and ignores the established processes.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
