In the heart of Yorubaland, the ancient town of Oyo has become a theater for cultural, political, and traditional contestation following the announcement of the new Alaafin.
The succession to the revered throne has sparked celebrations, controversy, and fierce debates, leaving the community and observers divided over the sanctity of tradition and modern governance.
The Governor’s Approval
On Friday, the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, officially endorsed Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo-designate.
The announcement, made through Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, marked what many hoped would be the end of an 18-month interregnum following the passing of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022.
Prince Owoade’s approval was said to have come after extensive consultations and traditional divinations by the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers), a process that supposedly honored the ancient customs of Oyo.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, expressed optimism about Owoade’s reign, urging citizens to unite in celebrating the new chapter.
However, what seemed like a celebratory announcement soon unraveled into a deeply contentious issue, as cracks within the Oyo Mesi and conflicting narratives about the selection process began to surface.
Oyomesi’s Rejection and Legal Challenges
Barely a day after the announcement, five of the seven kingmakers, led by High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, the Bashorun of Oyo, publicly rejected the governor’s declaration.
In a fiery statement, they insisted that Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin was the rightful heir, chosen through the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967.
The dissenting kingmakers accused the state government of violating traditional protocols and undermining the integrity of the Alaafin stool.
According to them, the September 2022 meeting, where Gbadegesin was selected through a majority vote, should have been binding.
“This rushed appointment disregards established procedures and undermines the sanctity of the Alaafin stool,” the kingmakers declared.
They revealed that legal proceedings were ongoing at the Court of Appeal to contest what they described as the unlawful selection of Owoade.
Additionally, they alleged that the governor had interfered in the process by organizing a meeting to favor his preferred candidate, a move they deemed inconsistent with Yoruba customs.
Professor Wande Abimbola’s Bombshell
Amid the escalating drama, Professor Wande Abimbola, the Awise of Yorubaland and head of all Ifa diviners, added another layer of complexity.
In a viral video, the former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University claimed he was personally consulted by the state government to oversee Ifa divination for the selection of the next Alaafin.
“I spent ten days seeking the face of the Ifa oracle, and Ifa made its choice,” he revealed.
According to Abimbola, the oracle selected Prince Owoade. However, the professor also alleged that the kingmakers sought to manipulate the process, attempting to persuade him to alter Ifa’s decision.
In a shocking twist, Abimbola accused the Oyo Mesi of engaging in corrupt practices, claiming they had accepted bribes from candidates vying for the throne. Disputes reportedly broke out among the kingmakers over the sharing of bribe money, further tarnishing the image of the traditional institution.
“The shame hit the Yoruba people whose strength has always been the purity and incorruptibility of their traditional system,” Abimbola lamented.
A Throne in Turmoil
The unfolding saga has left many Oyo indigenes and Yoruba cultural custodians grappling with questions about the integrity of their age-old traditions.
While the state government insists that the selection process was thorough and rooted in tradition, the kingmakers and critics argue otherwise, highlighting procedural flaws and allegations of corruption.
As the legal battle continues and public discourse intensifies, the throne of the Alaafin, one of the most prestigious in Yorubaland hangs in the balance.
For now, the story of the Alaafin succession remains a poignant reminder of the tensions between tradition and modern governance in contemporary Nigeria.
