Gov Makinde presents Staff of Office to 46th Alaafin of Oyo
...as he arrives Oyo for traditional rites
Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday officially presented the staff of office and certificate to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan to legitimize the announcement of King Owoade.
Speaking during the presentation of the staff of office, Gov Seyi Makinde emphasized the importance of the Alaafin’s stool not only to Oyo State but to the entire Yoruba race.
He noted that he did not interfere in the appointment of the new Alaafin due to the transparency of his administration.
“The Alaafin stool is very important, not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State, but to 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 toy with.
“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I had never spoken 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.”
Makinde, however, vowed to prosecute anyone attempting to destabilize the state’s traditional institutions.
“Let me also say briefly that for those who are still hell-bent on destabilizing the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not relenting. We will prosecute them.
“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 further added, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Alaafin-designate has now arrived in Oyo to begin the necessary traditional rites.
The people of Oyo came out en masse to welcome the new king with the joy of a new dawn, as the king was seen with his staff of office, waving at the large crowd who escorted him to the palace from the Sawmill area down to Akesan Market.
