Recall that earlier on Friday, the state government announced that Makinde had approved the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo, two years after the stool became vacant.
The kingmakers, who made this declaration in a letter to the governor signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), include High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chief Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo; and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo.
“You will recall that on 30th September, 2022, at the meeting of the kingmakers in accordance with the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, 1961, the kingmakers appointed Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alaafin of Oyo by a majority of the lawful votes of the kingmakers.
“Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin, having obtained the majority of votes from the kingmakers present and voting, was deemed appointed, and his name was forwarded to Your Excellency as the candidate appointed by the kingmakers as Alaafin of Oyo for your approval, which you refused to approve for no disclosed reason at all. The kingmakers thereafter filed an action to stop Your Excellency from truncating the process, culminating in the present appeal at the Court of Appeal,” the letter read.
They noted that they were surprised that, in the announcement by the government, it claimed that the selection was made after wide consultation and divination.
“We must emphatically state that the Alaafin is not chosen by consultation or divination but in strict compliance with the Registered Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1967, which codifies the native law and custom governing the selection process for the vacant stool of the Alaafin.
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“It is not the duty of the Governor to convene the meeting of a few kingmakers and emergency warrant chiefs to select or appoint a new Alaafin on the 9th of January, 2025, and hurriedly approve the appointment on the 10th of January, 2025,” they added.