Makinde Presents Staff of Office to New Alaafin Oyo, Vows to Prosecute Oyomesi Over Allegations of Fraud

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has today, presented the staff of office to the new Alaafin Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, vowing to prosecute some Oyo kingmakers otherwise known as Oyomesi over allegations of fraud.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News reports that the ceremony was graced by the Who's Who in Oyo State, including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; member representing Oyo East/Oyo West House of Assembly, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto; Awise Awo Agbaye, Professor Wande Abimbola and his wife, Iyanifa Ajisebo Abimbola; some members of the Oyomesi as well as traditional rulers in Oyo Kingdom as well as top government functionaries which included: the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Joel Ajagbe.

Governor Makinde who made his position on the alleged fraud by the affected King makers known during the presentation of Instruments of Office to the new Alaafin of Oyo at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office Ibadan on Tuesday, insisted that he had no prior relationship with the new monarch, adding that the affected kingmakers would be pardoned if they genuinely sought forgiveness from the Kabiyesi.

In his words, “Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. 

He further explained that the erring King makers stand a second chance to restitute their ways,noting that, "The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them."

The Governor who maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency, revealed that "The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with.

“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.

“Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.

"When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political considerations? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers. 

I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.

Governor Makinde who recalled that "The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards the election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me."

He thereafter announced that, "The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to the Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world.

He prayed for a successful reign of the new Alaafin of Oyo saying. "I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as Yoruba race in general."

Responding, Alaafin Owoade thanked the Governor, the Oyomesi and everyone who worked for his selection and assumption of office as the Alaafin of Oyo, promising to work for the progress of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the development of the people.

Speaking earlier at the presentation of staff of office ceremony, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Demola Ojo, lauded the Governor for his determination to ensure that the right processes were followed in the selection of the new Alaafin as well as those involved in the selection process.

OTN News reports that the new Alaafin, Prince Owoade, was thereafter accompanied to the ancient town with heavy security including men of Operation Burst, Police, Civil defence and Western Security Network code-named Amotekun, where the popular Akesan market and other markets in the ancient town were shut down in honour of the new monarch.

The new Alaafin Oyo was giving a warm welcome by the Iyaloja of Oyo town, Alhaja Adijat Bakare, who coordinated the suspension of trading activities in consonance with the customs and traditions of the Oyo people.

The Iyaloja and other market women joyfully received the new Oba, showing their excitement as they flanked the entry of the new Alaafin into Oyo town.

Meanwhile, OTN News reports that the traditional rites for the Alaafin designate have commenced as Oba Owoade has proceeded to the traditional Royal College of Kingship known in Yoruba land as Ipebi, where he could be in seclusion for 21 days, after which his official coronation as 46th Alaafin will take place in the ancient Yoruba kingdom.