- Oyo kingmakers issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Makinde to revoke the appointment of Owoade as the new Alaafin
- Legal counsel for Prince Lukman Gbadegesin warned of pursuing court action to annul the appointment
- The kingmakers disputed accusations of bribery and challenged the governor’s authority to make the appointment
Five prominent kingmakers of Oyo, led by the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde to revoke his appointment of Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The kingmakers, along with their preferred candidate, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin warned that they will pursue legal action if the governor does not reverse the appointment.
Kingmakers threaten legal action over Alaafin appointment
“We request that the Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs address the Issues raised and rectify these breaches within 30 days of receipt of this notice. Failure to do so will compel our client to seek appropriate legal redress In court,” Mr Gbadegesin’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated in the notice.
The kingmakers expressed strong dissatisfaction with the governor's accusations of bribery in the selection process. They vehemently denied the allegations and cautioned the governor against making further defamatory statements.
Furthermore, the kingmakers defended the legitimacy of the process that led to Gbadegesin’s nomination, challenging the governor to present evidence of corruption in court.
Oyi kingmakers accuse Makinde of overstepping authority
They also contended that the governor had overstepped his authority by appointing Owoade, adding that the selection of the Alaafin is the exclusive right of the Oyomesi, the traditional kingmakers.
Gbadegesin’s legal counsel, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), criticised the governor's reliance on an Ifa consultation in the appointment, arguing that it contradicted the 1961 Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration and violated a prior court ruling.
The legal team also proposed to seek “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment, and presentation of staff of office to Mr Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo, as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chiefs’ Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961. These actions are unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.”
Oyo Welcomes New Alaafin: 10 things to know about Prince Akeem Abimbola Owoade
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Prince Akeem Abimbola Owoade was officially appointed as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde
TheRadar compiled 10 things to know about the newly appointed monarch.