Alaafin stool: Prince Gbadegesin issues 30 days ultimatum to Gov. Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde

Published By: Michael Adesina

Michael Adesina

Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has given Governor Seyi Makinde an ultimatum of 30 days to reverse the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

This ultimatum was issued via a pre-action notice signed by Gbadegesin’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, who claims that the Governor’s actions violate the Oyo State Chiefs’ Law 2000.

According to Gbadegesin, the Governor has overstepped his bounds by announcing a different candidate, thereby disregarding the powers of the Oyomesi, as outlined in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Prince Lukman Gbadegesin

Furthermore, Gbadegesin’s lawyer argued that the Governor’s reliance on Ifa consultation is unlawful, as it contradicts a previous court judgment.

The letter from Gbadegesin’s lawyer reads in part: “By announcing a different candidate, the Governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for the selection of the Alaafin.

“The Governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgment of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation In the selection process unlawful, as it is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, and the allegations of bribery by two Oyomesi members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated.”

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His lawyer noted that Prince Gbadegesin is seeking “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void” and a declaration that he “was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”

See the pre-action notice addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde below: