Prince Olamilekan Calls For Calm As Protests Greet Appointment Of Alaafin
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
32-yearr-old Prince Olamilekan Ismail Owoade, Royal Family of the Agunloye Ruling House and an aspirant to the revered chieftaincy stool of Alaafin of Oyo has called on the people of Oyo to be calm and eschew any form of hostility as the process of choosing a successor continues following the transition of the legendary Imperial Majesty Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
The call was contained in a statement on Sunday by his Communication Advisor,
Barr. Folounso Dada.
Affirming that the Alaafin stool represents the foundation of the cultural heritage, a guiding light of the unity and symbol of justice and fairness of the people of Oyo, Prince Olamilekan Ismail Owoade, who is a descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Owoade, a direct son of Alaafin Lawani Agogo Ija, the son of Alaafin Adelu Agunloye also the son of Aremo Alaafin Abiodun Atiba Atobatele, the architect of present day Oyo said ”as we navigate the ongoing process of selecting the next Alaafin, I am deeply inspired by the collective strength, resilience, and dignity of our people. I appeal to the sons and daughters of Oyo to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and continue festering harmony and mutual respect during this time”.
Speaking further, Prince Owoade said ”I remain committed to upholding the principles of justice, fairness and respect for our rich traditions as enshrined in the Oyo Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration’. Let us continue to pray for wisdom, guidance, and peace as we work towards ensuring that the legacy of Alaafin Oyo remains a symbol of pride for generations to come.”
Meanwhile, the kingmakers in Oyo town, Oyo State have protested the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The kingmakers who rejected the choice of the State Governor on the basis of abuse of the legal process that guides the appointment of an Alaafin are Basorun of Oyo – High Chief Yusuf Akiande, the Lagunna of Oyo – High Chief Wakeel Akindele, the Akinniku of Oyo – High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and Chief Gabdebo Mufutau who is a warrant chief representing the Alapinni of Oyo.
Writing through their lawyer – Mr. Kunle Sobaloju SAN, the dissatisfied kingmakers said the action of Governor Seyi Makinde was illegal and a contradiction of the legal process thereby urging the suspension of the process until the conclusion of the matter currently in court in respect of the Alaafin Stool.
The letter with the title “Re: Illegal & Unlawful Appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the New Alaafin Oyo” reads in part. “You will recall that on September 30th, 2022, at a meeting of kingmakers held in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, the kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority of lawful votes. His name was forwarded to Your Excellency for approval but you refused to approve it for undisclosed reasons. The kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, which is now pending in the Court of Appeal”.
The five kingmakers said further through their lawyer in the letter to the Oyo State Governor that “Your Excellency’s recent announcement of Prince Owoade’s appointment, claiming it was made after consultations and divinations, is contrary to established legal process. The Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but through strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which governs the selection process. The Bashorun as the head of the Oyomesi must summon, a meeting for the selection, but no such meeting was convened. The decision amounts to executive recklessness and cannot withstand legal scrutiny.”
