*Those who collected money will face prosecution
“Yesterday, I met Prince Owoade for the first time. Before then, I had never spoken to him or known anything about his background or that of any other princes contending for the position. This was a conscious choice on my part because I didn’t want my opinion to impact the process in any way”.
With the above words, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared on Monday that the position of Alaafin of Oyo “is not up for sale”.
“I met Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, the new Alaafin of Oyo, for the first time in his life on January 12, 2025”.
Makinde spoke during the presentation of official instruments to the new Alaafin at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan.
Makinde explained that his decision to refrain from intervening in the appointment of the new Alaafin was rooted in his administration’s commitment to openness and transparency.
“The role of the Alaafin holds great significance not only for Oyo Town or Oyo State but also for the entire Yoruba people. During my tenure, I emphasised that this position is not something to be bought and sold. It is a seat we must treat with utmost respect.”
“Yesterday, I met Prince Owoade for the first time. Before then, I had never spoken to him or known anything about his background or that of any other princes contending for the position. This was a conscious choice on my part because I didn’t want my opinion to impact the process in any way.
“Allow me to state this clearly: when we assumed office in 2019, there were challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland. These issues have since been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.
“When the time came to approve Okere’s selection, some individuals approached me saying, “This is our friend.” They mentioned one person was aligned with APC. I responded that political affiliations — PDP or APC — didn’t matter to me. Why should my decision be influenced by politics? As a result, I approved what the Saki kingmakers had selected.
“I often advise people not to get overly stressed about politicians, as we all share common human experiences and interact personally. Politics and campaigning are like a game; however, once elected, the responsibilities of governance become significantly more serious due to decisions impacting millions. Therefore, it’s crucial that we separate politics from the important act of governing responsibly.
“The Alaafin throne became vacant in 2022. As the election approached, there were voices insisting that I must approve the appointment of a new Alaafin or risk losing votes from Oyo citizens. My response was clear: let them withhold their votes if they choose because my priority is doing what’s right. In spite of this stance, Oyo still turned out to support me overwhelmingly and will continue to do so”.
He cautioned individuals attempting to undermine the traditional institution in Oyo, stating that the government intends to bring charges against them.
“Even if they have already collected money, they will still face prosecution unless they seek forgiveness from Kabiyesi. If he pardons them, I will do the same,” he stated.
