Nine royal families in Oyo have rejected the presentation of the staff of office to Oba Akeem Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, arguing that the recognition of the monarch without undergoing seclusion goes against the traditional practices of the ancient city.
The families, in a statement, by Prince Sina Afolabi representing the Adeitan Royal Family argued that Prince Owoade’s appointment goes against Oyo’s customs, culture, and traditions, and also violates the Rule of Law.
The families who opposed the appointment of the monarch are Prince Remi Azeez, (Tella Okitipapa), Prince Lamola Olanite (Olanite), Prince Agboin Adelabu, (Adelabu), Prince Raji Adeniran (Adeniran), Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun), Prince Muftau Adesokan, (Adesokan Baba Idode), Prince Adesiyan (Adesiyan) and Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun).
Afolabi, who spoke on behalf of the other families, pointed out that the choice of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi was done by the custom and tradition of Ife.
He said: “What the governor did was against the highly revered Alaafin Stool. His action has reduced the throne to an object of ridicule. It was expected of Governor Makinde, an apostle of due process, to have followed a just line of action and avoid reducing the Alaafin Stool or the Alaafin to an ordinary oba without honour.
“We don’t want our revered stool or the Alaafin to become an object of ridicule and mockery in the future. We don’t want him to be referred to as an oba that was anointed in Ibadan, precisely at the Office of the Governor. We don’t want people to refer to him as an Alaafin who did not enter Ipebi (seclusion).
“The Alaafin of Oyo is a prominent and first-class traditional ruler in Yorubaland. We, the Atiba 9, are against the process embarked upon by the state government to make Omooba Owoade the Alaafin. It should be stopped and the right thing must be done in appointing a new Alaafin.
“We don’t have anything personal against Omooba Owoade who was appointed as the Alaafin on Monday. He too made efforts to become the oba. We don’t have any personal issues with Omooba Lukman Gbadegesin either.
“However, our grouse is against the process through which Owoade and Gbadegesin emerged as candidates to the Alaafin Stool. And what Governor Makinde had done by making Omooba Owoade the Alaafin is an attempt to ridicule the throne. We, the Atiba 9, don’t want it.
“We are not against whoever is appointed as the Alaafin but the process must be by our established custom, culture and tradition and the rule of law. Whoever that emerged through such a process will be acceptable to us.”
