New Alaafin: 5 Key Laws Allegedly Violated By Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde’s appointment of Abimbola Owoade as Alaafin has ignited outrage, with critics pointing to several legal and traditional violations.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s controversial appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate has been met with strong criticism, as it is viewed as a violation of several key rules governing the selection of the Alaafin. Here are the key breaches in the process:

Failure to Follow the Traditional Selection Process:
Under the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, the Oyomesi, the council of kingmakers, is solely responsible for selecting the new Alaafin. The declaration grants them exclusive authority in this process. Despite this, Governor Makinde bypassed the Oyomesi’s decision to select Lukman Gbadegesin, a grandson of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin, who had been chosen by the council in September 2022.

No Official Petition Against the Selection:
According to Oyo State law, any dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses must submit an official petition within a 21-day window after the selection. The Oyomesi had followed this legal procedure and no petitions were submitted, ensuring the validity of the selection. However, Governor Makinde disregarded this process by announcing his own choice without any official objections from the concerned parties.

Disregarding the Court’s Ruling:
A legal challenge against the Oyomesi’s selection of Gbadegesin was dismissed by the Oyo State High Court in December 2022. The court upheld the legitimacy of the selection process and clarified that the Ifa oracle was not required in the selection. However, Makinde reportedly consulted Professor Wande Abimbola to use the Ifa oracle, which many see as a violation of the court’s ruling.

Unilateral Appointment by the Governor:
In a move that has sparked outrage, Governor Makinde held his own selection meeting and appointed Owoade as the new Alaafin. This decision was made without the involvement or consent of the Oyomesi, who had already completed the selection process. This unilateral action is seen as a direct usurpation of the kingmakers’ powers and authority, violating established norms.

Undermining the Oyomesi’s Authority:
The Oyomesi has rejected Makinde’s appointment of Owoade, accusing the governor of undermining both tradition and legal provisions. The rejection of the appointment has heightened tensions, as the Oyomesi, under the leadership of the Bashorun of Oyo, is now planning to take the matter to court, challenging the governor’s decision.

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