Princes from nine royal families in Oyo, collectively known as the Atiba 9, have rejected the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo.
The Atiba 9 described his appointment as unacceptable and a blatant disregard for Oyo’s revered traditions.
Recall that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the staff of office to the Alaafin-designate on Monday.
The Atiba 9 criticised the decision, accusing Makinde of basing his action on a proclamation by US-based Awise Agbaye, Prof Wande Abimbola, who claimed that Ifa chose Owoade as the next Alaafin of Oyo.
They argued that Owoade’s appointment was not only contrary to the deeply-rooted customs, culture and traditions of Oyo but also a violation of the rule of law, which should guide the selection process for the throne.
They stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday on behalf of the nine royal families by Prince Sina Afolabi of the Adeitan royal family.
Afolabi reiterated that the families have legitimate claims to the throne, insisting that due process must be followed to uphold the integrity and sanctity of Oyo’s royal institution.
The other eight princes from the Atiba royal families include Prince Remi Azeez (Tella Okitipapa); Prince Lamola Olanite (Olanite); Prince Agboin Adelabu (Adelabu); Prince Raji Adeniran (Adeniran); Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun); Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan (Adesokan Baba Idode); Prince Adesiyan (Adesiyan); and Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun).
These princes noted that they did not support the selection of Owoade as the Alaafin-designate.
Afolabi added that the process that led to Owoade’s emergence was “against the custom and tradition of the Oyo Royal Houses as regards the making and installation of the Alaafin.”
He clarified that their objection was not personal against Owoade or Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, another contestant earlier chosen by the Oyomesi, as both have legitimate claims to aspire for the throne.
However, they insisted that the process which produced Owoade was not in alignment with the longstanding traditions of the ancient Oyo town.
The Atiba 9 also emphasised that they are still pursuing the case they filed in court challenging the process that led to the emergence of both Owoade and Gbadegesin as contenders for the throne.
They affirmed their commitment to ensuring that due process is followed to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the Alaafin’s stool.
He further explained that Makinde, despite being an advocate of due process, made an error.
Afolabi said, “What the governor did was totally against the highly revered Alaafin stool. His action has reduced the throne to an object of ridicule. It was expected of Governor Makinde, an apostle of due process, to have followed a just line of action and avoid reducing the Alaafin stool or the Alaafin to an Oba Gbandu or Oba Yebuyebu (an ordinary oba without honour).
“When the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, was to be made the oba, he entered Ipebi and everything was done in accordance with the custom and tradition of Ife before he was proclaimed as the Oonirisa.
“We don’t want our revered stool or the Alaafin to become an object of ridicule and mockery in the future. We don’t want him to be referred to as an oba that was anointed in Ibadan, precisely at the Office of the Governor. We don’t want people to refer to him as an Alaafin that did not enter Ipebi.
“The Alaafin of Oyo is a prominent and first-class traditional ruler in the entire Yoruba land. We, the Atiba 9, are against the process embarked upon by the state government to make Omooba Owoade the Alaafin. It should be stopped and the right thing must be done in appointing a new Alaafin.
“We don’t have anything personal against Omooba Owoade who was appointed as the Alaafin on Monday. He too made efforts to become the oba. We don’t have any personal issues with Omooba Lukman Gbadegesin either. However, our group is against the process through which Owoade and Gbadegesin emerged as candidates for the Alaafin stool.
“And what Governor Makinde had done by making Omooba Owoade the Alaafin is an attempt to ridicule the throne. We, the Atiba 9, don’t want it! We respect Professor Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa, but if he wants to be fair to all, he should come and consult Ifa at Ojude Ogun here in Oyo.”
The Atiba 9 also urged the Oyomesi, led by Basorun Yusuf Akinade, to resolve any internal disagreements amicably.
They emphasised that the Oyomesi remained the only body with the authority to initiate the process of selecting a new Alaafin.
“Whatever is the grouse or disagreement between the Basorun and other members of the Oyo Mesi should be resolved. They should call themselves together and settle their crisis amicably before any process of installing a new Alaafin can be embarked upon,” the statement added.
Afolabi declared that with the current arrangement, any occupant of the Alaafin stool would lose respect from other Yoruba obas.
He added, “If we should look at it critically as things stand now, some obas who are supposed to be taking instructions from the Alaafin will not be doing that; they will not respect him as they will see him as not being properly appointed. The Alaafin should not be reduced to an ordinary oba.
“These are our grouses. We are not against whoever is appointed as the Alaafin, but the process must be in accordance with our established custom, culture, tradition and the rule of law. Whoever that emerged through such a process will be acceptable to us.”
This is, however, the second group of kingsmen to kick against Owoade’s appointment.
Five Kingmakers from Oyo had earlier declared the appointment invalid, noting that they did not recommend him to the state government.