Nine Oyo Princes Reject Owoade’s Appointment as Alaafin
Nine princes from royal families in Oyo, collectively known as the Atiba 9, have strongly opposed the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo, calling the decision unacceptable and a violation of the region’s cherished traditions. Their objection comes after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde presented the staff of office to Owoade, marking his appointment.
The Atiba 9 criticized the appointment, accusing the governor of relying on a proclamation by US-based Ifa priest, Prof Wande Abimbola, who claimed that Ifa had chosen Owoade as the next Alaafin. The princes argued that Owoade’s appointment contradicted Oyo’s deep-rooted customs, traditions, and the rule of law that should govern the selection process for the throne.
In a statement issued by Prince Sina Afolabi of the Adeitan royal family, the Atiba 9 reiterated that they had legitimate claims to the throne and that the selection process must adhere to the established customs and traditions of Oyo. Afolabi emphasized that their objection was not personal against Owoade or Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, another candidate previously chosen by the Oyomesi, but rather against the flawed process that led to their emergence.
The Atiba 9 further stressed that they were still pursuing a legal case challenging the process that produced both Owoade and Gbadegesin as contenders for the throne. They expressed their commitment to ensuring that the Alaafin’s selection process follows due process to maintain the integrity of the royal institution.
Afolabi criticized Governor Makinde for his role in the appointment, arguing that his actions undermined the revered Alaafin stool and reduced it to a mere object of ridicule. He pointed out that the proper customs, like the Ipebi ritual followed by the Ooni of Ife’s installation, were ignored in Owoade’s appointment. The Atiba 9 warned that the current process could diminish the respect accorded to the Alaafin by other Yoruba obas.
In addition, the Atiba 9 urged the Oyomesi, the traditional council responsible for selecting the Alaafin, to resolve any internal conflicts amicably before proceeding with the appointment of a new Alaafin. They stressed that only the Oyomesi had the authority to initiate the process of selecting the new ruler.
This is the second group of royal figures to challenge Owoade’s appointment, following a previous statement from five of Oyo’s kingmakers, who also declared the appointment invalid, asserting that they had not recommended Owoade to the state government.
