Alaafin: Makinde can’t rely on Ifa, says Prince Gbadegesin, gives governor 30-day ultimatum

Alaafin: Makinde can’t rely on Ifa, says Prince Gbadegesin, gives governor 30-day ultimatum

 

A prominent Oyo prince earlier favoured to emerge as Alaafin of Oyo, Lukman Gbadegesin, has faulted the action of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, having to rely on Ifa consultation (oracle) for the final selection.

According to Gbadegesin, the governor has overstepped his bounds by disregarding the powers of the kingmakers (Oyomesi) as outlined in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

He argued that the governor’s reliance on Ifa consultation is unlawful, as it contradicts a previous court judgement.

He therefore gave Governor Makinde an ultimatum of 30 days to reverse the appointment of Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

This ultimatum was issued via a pre-action notice signed by his lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, who claimed that the governor’s actions violate the Oyo State Chiefs’ Law 2000.

Governor Makinde on Monday presented the staff of office to Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo and the new monarch is set to commence 21-day traditional rites.

The letter from Gbadegesin’s lawyer read in part: “By announcing a different candidate, the Governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for the selection of the Alaafin.

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“The governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgment of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as it is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

“And the allegations of bribery by two Oyomesi members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated.”

The lawyer said Gbadegesin was seeking “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void.”

He also sought a declaration that he “was validly selected and or appointed by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin”.

See the pre-action notice addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde below: