ALAAFIN STOOL DISPUTE: PRINCE OWOADE SUES GOV MAKINDE, 19 OTHERS OVER ALLEGED EXCLUSION

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A contender for the Alaafin of Oyo stool, Prince Ismaila Olamilekan Owoade, has filed a lawsuit against Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and 19 others, challenging what he claims was an irregular selection process that excluded him.

The suit, filed before Justice Jimoh Adesina of the Oyo State High Court, alleges that due process was truncated, leading to the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin.

Prince Owoade is asking the court to nullify the appointment and presentation of the staff of office to Prince Abimbola Owoade (4th defendant), citing violations of the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and the Chiefs Law of Oyo State 2000. He further seeks an injunction restraining Prince Abimbola Owoade and Prince Lukman Ayinla Gbadegesin (5th defendant) from parading themselves as the Alaafin of Oyo.

The claimant argues that the Baba Iyaji of Oyo (Chief Mukaila Afonja, 12th defendant), who is responsible for presenting the most qualified candidate to the Oyo Mesi (Kingmakers), was excluded from the selection process. He insists that the Kingmakers, under the leadership of Basorun of Oyo, Prince Yusuf Layinka (6th defendant), did not follow due process.

Aside from Governor Makinde, the suit also names: the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oyo State, Prince Abimbola Owoade (4th defendant), Prince Lukman Ayinla Gbadegesin (5th defendant), Various Oyo Chiefs, including Basorun, Iba Samu, Agbaakin, and other key traditional figures, Atiba Local Government, Oyo Town.

Prince Owoade is however, asking the court to Set aside the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo, Restrain Princes Abimbola Owoade and Lukman Ayinla Gbadegesin from acting as Alaafin, Prevent the official presentation of Prince Abimbola Owoade as Alaafin on April 4, 2025, on the grounds that due process was not followedMandate the Kingmakers and state authorities to complete the selection process in line with the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, recognizing Prince Owoade as the rightful occupant of the throne.

Justice Adesina has fixed March 11, 2025, for the hearing of the case.

Meanwhile, it has been gathered that Prince Lukman Ayinla Gbadegesin has also filed a separate lawsuit challenging the current appointment of the Alaafin.

This development adds to the legal battle surrounding the revered Alaafin stool, further prolonging the selection of the next ruler of Oyo.