Abimbola Akeem Owoade has been announced as the new Alaafin of Oyo by the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the commissioner for information and orientation, Dotun Oyelade on Friday.
The appointment of the new king comes over two years since the death of Lamidi Adeyemi who was Alaafin from 1970 to 2022.
According to Dotun, governor Makinde approved Owoade as Alaafin following “thorough consultations and divinations” and recommendations by the Oyomesi (kingmakers).
He added that a statement to this effect has been issued by Ademola Ojo, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs “who said that the announcement has put to rest, all the socio and legal bickerings that have ensued since the demise of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022”.
“Hon. Ademola Ojo called on all citizens of Oyo State to join the Government in celebrating this momentus occasion and lend their support to the new Alaafin of Oyo,” the statement reads.
“The Commissioner prays that his reign will bring peace, prosperity and unity to the historic Oyo Kingdom.”
The announcement comes about a day after a five-member faction of the Oyemesi wrote to Makinde, asking the governor to refrain from interfering in the selection process for a new Alaafin.
In a letter signed by Kazeem Sobaloju, their legal counsel, and addressed to Makinde, the kingmakers claimed the governor’s move violates a pending court case on the selection process.
They insisted that the kingmakers had already chosen Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect.
The kingmakers in the faction include Yusuf Akinade, (Basorun), Wakeel Akindele, (Lagunna), Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku), Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief standing in for the (Asipa), Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief standing in for (Alapinni).
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