WARNING!!! Oyo Kingmakers Issue 30-Day Ultimatum Over Owoade’s Appointment As Alaafin Oyo—–Five Oyo town kingmakers, alongside their preferred candidate for the Alaafin stool, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, have issued a 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo.
The Genius Media Nigeria gathered that the kingmakers threatened to pursue legal action if their demands were unmet.
The ultimatum was contained in a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the governor by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Sobaloju, on behalf of the aggrieved parties.
Kingmakers Challenge Owoade’s Appointment
The kingmakers, including the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; and two warrant chiefs—Chief Wahab Oyetunji (Asipa) and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (Alapinni)—described Owoade’s appointment as “illegal and unprocedural.”
The SAN representing the group argued that Governor Makinde overstepped his authority by interfering in the selection process, a role reserved for the Oyomesi under the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
The letter alleged that the governor failed to act on the Oyomesi’s unanimous selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin and unlawfully relied on Ifa consultation to justify the appointment of Owoade.
The counsel further accused Makinde of violating a 2022 Oyo State High Court judgment that declared Ifa consultation unlawful in the selection process.
The letter read, “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.”
Six Grounds Of Breach Alleged
Gbadegesin’s legal counsel highlighted six breaches in the selection process, including:
Failure to act on the unanimous decision of the Oyomesi to appoint Prince Lukman Gbadegesin;
Unlawful interference in the Oyomesi’s authority under the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961;
Violation of the Oyo State Chief’s Law, 2000, and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration;
Contravention of a 2022 court judgment invalidating Ifa consultation in the selection process;
