The newly selected Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade has been presented with the staff of office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Mainde.
The governor presented the official instrument legitimising the reign of a king to the new monarch on Monday morning at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital.
The symbolic event was performed nearly three years after the death of the former Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The presentation of the staff of office was done amid controversy concerning the choice of the new Alaafin announced by the governor last week.
Speaking at the event, the governor said the Alaafin’s stool is important not just to Oyo town but to the Yoruba race as a whole.
The governor maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency.
According to Governor Makinde, he met the New Alaafin First Time On January 12, 2025.
He said, “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with.
“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate, because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.
“Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers.
“I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.
“The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me.
“Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them.”
While congratulating the new monarch, Governor Makinde prayed that his reign would bring peace and progress to Oyo Town, Oyo State and the Yoruba race.
“The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world.
“I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as Yoruba race in general,” Governor Makinde added.
In his response, Alaafin Owoade promised to work for the progress of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the development of the people.
He thanked the Governor, the Oyomesi and everyone that worked for his selection and assumption of office as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
The Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade proceeded to Oyo town shortly after receiving the instruments of Office that from Governor Seyi Makinde at the Executive Chamber of the Governor”s Office Ibadan on Monday, this process validated his selection as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
The popular Akesan market in Oyo town and other markets in the ancient town city were shutdown in honour of the new monarch.
The monarch who drove in to the town in black G-Wagon arrived Owode around 1:50pm was received by notable sons and daughters of the land.
Iyaloja of Oyo town, Alhaja Adijat Bakare in an interview with the press explained that suspension of trading activities was in consonance with the custom and tradition of Oyo people.
Alhaja Bakare and other market women waiting to receive the new Oba said they are excited to have a new Alaafin who is regarded as an important symbol of honour and unity in Oyo.
Meanwhile, the traditional rites for the Alaafin designate have commenced, as
Prince Owoade will be in seclusion for 21 days after which the official coronation as 46th Alaafin will hold.
