A whirlwind has hit Yorubaland without warning. This time, it swept away not only leftovers from the previous year, but also dumped two important controversies that would likely shape Yoruba rituals for years. One is the controversy surrounding the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, and a viral video of Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede Land, kneeling down to greet the Emir of Ilorin, Kolapo Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in his palace. These two occurrences have raised dust, causing every Yoruba son and daughter to express his or her grievances about the potential harm these activities may cause to Yoruba customs.
Like many Yorubas, particularly Oyo indigenes, Prince Abimbola Owoade’s election as Alaafin-elect came as a rude shock. To be honest, it should not have surprised me that a new Alaafin has been appointed in 2025 following the death of Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi III in April 2022, but the misunderstandings, conflicts, protracted delay, and ongoing court debates that shaped the royal tussle did.
When the news of a new Alaafin of Oyo broke, I was overjoyed since the throne is too strong to remain unoccupied for long. For more than two years, Oyo and its environs have been without traditional direction or supervision, which has had a significant impact on administration, prosperity, and cultural advancement. I promptly found a Whatsapp link claiming that Prince Abimbola Owoade is the next Alaafin-elect. This was both reassuring and unexpected. I had assumed that the Oyo kingmakers and state government had addressed their disputes and settled all cases out of court until I saw a press release signed by some kingmakers in which they strongly rejected the selection of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin-Elect.
These kingmakers argued that Lukman Gbadegesin was their preferred candidate. They stated that no one contested his nomination until some aggrieved candidates filed a lawsuit against Prince Lukman Gbadegesin. They further claimed that two of the remaining five Oyomesi kingmakers after the sad demise of two were bribed. Seyi Makinde condemned the selection process as corrupt, and he contacted Prof. Wande Abimbola to consult Ifa Oracle in the selection of Oyo’s new Alaafin. Prince Abimbola Owoade was the top option among the 100 princes, according to Prof. Wande Abimbola when he contacted Ifa. Governor Seyi Makinde appointed Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo without the blessings of the Oyomesi.
The argument between Oyomesi and Governor Seyi Makinde is a sad event for Oyo town. The memory and legacy of late Alaafin, Oba Adeyemi III, do not merit the controversies that surrounded his death. The late Oba Atanda Adeyemi valued customs and traditions. He cleverly kept Yoruba traditions with respect and established himself as a role model for others to emulate. True, there have always been conflicts about choosing kings in Yoruba towns, but it is expected that if we cannot fully mature out of it, Oyo, as a symbol of authority in Yorubaland, does not deserve to be embroiled in such an issue.
I read Oyomesi’s position. Governor Makinde’s aides have also made some statements. Prof. Wande Abimbola’s audio narration of his intervention is also available in the public domain. According to Prof. Abimbola, Governor Makinde asked him for consultation after two of the five remaining Oyomesi reported bribery from a specific contender. He also stated that the Ifa oracle assisted him in choosing Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin-elect.
Prof. Wande Abimbola is unquestionably an authority on Yoruba knowledge and traditions. His contributions to the development of new knowledge about Ifa, as well as various approaches for repositioning Yoruba traditions, are undisputed. As great as Prof. Abimbola may be, he’s not beyond the law and must not allow himself to be used against the law. Baba Abimbola must recognize that tradition must be used in conjunction with history and law to preserve, restore, and protect the throne and its sacredness. He cannot wear the same clothes as governors who disregard the rule of law. He knows better that he’s required to consult with other ifa priests and the Oyomesi to select a new Alaafin of Oyo, rather than the governor, who is only responsible for approval.
Governor Makinde has unknowingly broken the law. In criminology, there is a concept known as inchoate offense or crime. It is a form of crime that occurs when someone takes a punishable step toward committing another crime. Disregarding the provisions of the Oyo Chieftaincy Law as a state governor is a more serious offense. He cannot wear the Oyomesi’s garment of responsibility when choosing a new Alaafin because they have been suspected of accepting bribes. Did President Tinubu take over Oyo State after Governor Makinde was accused of corruption? Nigerian governors need to grow.
Let me be clear: it is the Oyomesi’s legal, moral, and traditional right to choose a new Alaafin. If there are charges of corruption, it is the responsibility of appropriate security authorities to investigate, and affected persons to seek remedy in court. When the polls that elected him Governor were marred by violence, vote-buying, and irregularities, did President Buhari disrupt the process? No. Did he request Kenya’s electoral body to conduct a new election? No. He simply recommended dissatisfied candidates to go to court. The appointment of the new Alaafin of Oyo is unconstitutional, illegal, criminal and a clear disregard to the Oyo Chieftaincy Law.
Inadvertently, Governor Makinde’s argument that he is defending the throne fails logic. The same Ifa who objected to the alleged collection of bribes by the Oyomesi will not tolerate Governor Makinde’s interruption or position as an interloper in the selection process for a new Alaafin. Let Governor Makinde know that an individual cannot protect the throne. Throughout history, there have been instances of unrightful royal ownership yet the throne restores itself naturally. Governor Makinde must understand that he cannot safeguard the throne if he undermines the traditional powers behind it.
As admirable as Governor Makinde’s choice to allow Ifa to play a significant role in selecting the new Alaafin of Oyo, it would have been more acceptable if the Oyomesi were also permitted to play a role. The collaborations of Ifa priests and Oyomesi are more significant in picking a new Alaafin than the interruption of Governor Makinde and an Ifa priest.
Two wrongs do not constitute a right. As awful as the allegation of collecting bribes from a specific contender leveled against the Oyomesi appears, the disregard for the Chieftaincy Law, which is contained in the same constitution that created and safeguarded Seyi Makinde’s privileges as governor, is worse. Makinde and his allies in power must recognize that they are not above the law and cannot make decisions that contradict the law.
Protests have broken out in Oyo town. People have been complaining about Governor Makinde’s disproportionate and unwanted interruptions. This unfortunate occurrence may be a stain on the new Alaafin of Oyo, affecting his overall acceptance, respect, admiration, and traditional authority. I also doubt the future Alaafin of Oyo would wish to rule a divided kingdom. To win the residents’ respect and appreciation, the process of selecting the new Alaafin must take into account the Oyomesi’s contributions.
It is never too late for Governor Makinde to reconsider his actions and let the provisions of the Oyo Chieftaincy Law to take effect. It is unacceptable to replace kingmakers with warrant chiefs who are not dead or derobed. It calls into question the legitimacy of the selecting process even more than the bribery allegations against the kingmakers. In the Oyo kingdom, the throne cannot exist independently. The Alaafin, the Oyomesi, and the throne coexist to ensure the Oyo kingdom’s functionality, security and prosperity. Ifa and Oyomesi can collaborate to choose a new Alaafin. Both have certain roles that must be fulfilled. Makinde should quit hurling lions at tigers for ego or self-aggrandizement as a governor; they are all members of the same cat family.