Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
Makinde communicated the approval in a public statement signed by Dotun Oyelade, the commissioner for information and orientation, on Friday.
“Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the new Alaafin of Oyo,” the statement read in part.
“We pray that his reign brings progress and harmony to the people of Oyo and strengthens the historic legacy of the Alaafin institution,” he added.
Oyelade stated that Owoade was chosen after extensive consultations and traditional divinations conducted by the Oyo kingmakers, the Oyomesi.
Owoade succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who died on April 22, 2022, aged 83.
He was born in 1975. According to his LinkedIn profile, he earned national and higher national certificates in mechanical engineering from The Federal Polytechnic and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, between 1994 and 2001.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademola Ojo, in his remarks, said the announcement ends the legal and social disputes that followed the passing of the former Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
“This decision has put to rest all the socio-legal controversies that have arisen since the transition of the late Oba Adeyemi. We urge the people of Oyo State to support the new Alaafin and join the government in celebrating this historic moment,” Ojo said.
Oyelade expressed optimism that the reign of the new Alaafin would usher in peace, unity, and prosperity for the Oyo Kingdom.
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“We pray that his reign brings progress and harmony to the people of Oyo and strengthens the historic legacy of the Alaafin institution,” he added.
Residents of Oyo State have been called upon to rally behind the new monarch as he begins his reign over the ancient kingdom.
After the death of the previous Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the selection process for his successor sparked controversy.
Makinde recently directed a fresh selection process, but five prominent kingmakers rejected this move on Thursday.
The kingmakers include the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade; the Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; the Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Hamzat Yusuf; a warrant chief standing in for Asipa of Oyo, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and a warrant chief standing in for Alapinni of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.
They asserted that Prince Lukman Gbadegesin is already the Alaafin-elect, citing ongoing legal proceedings regarding the selection process.
The kingmakers’ legal counsel, Adekunle Sobaloju, described the governor’s actions as illegal and urged that the process be suspended until the court resolves the matter.
