Makinde presents staff of office to new Alaafin of Oyo


The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has presented the staff of office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Abimbola Owoade.

This comes days after Makinde announced Prince Owoade as the new Alaafin to succeed the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who died on April 22, 2022.

The presentation of staff of office took place on Monday morning despite an opposition from five of the Oyo kingmakers, known as Oyomesi.

The five Oyo Kingmakers in a statement addressed to the governor, described the appointment of Prince Owoade as illegal because they did not recommend him.

In the letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN),
the Kingmakers named Prince Luqman Gbadegesin as the contestant they are in support of.

The five Oyomesi opposed to the announcement of Prince Owoade include High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chief Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo

However, when Governor Makinde announced Prince Owoade as the Alaafin designate, a statement signed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, revealed that the appointment of the prince followed a recommendation done through thorough consultations and divinations.

The new Alaafin of Oyo hails from the royal Owoade-Agunloye family of Oyo, one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade.

The monarch attended Baptist High School, Saki, Ibadan, Oyo State. He obtained a National Diploma from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and a Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He bagged a Bsc Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sunderland and a Msc Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University.

He served as a Planning Engineer at Oil Reach Company in Glasgow, UK. He is currently a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada. Ok

Presenting the insignia of office, Makinde hailed the Alaafin-elect as a leader destined to preserve and elevate the cultural and historical legacy of the Oyo Kingdom.

Describing the Alaafin as more than a traditional ruler but a custodian of a rich heritage, the governor expressed confidence that the monarch would lead with wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication to unity in the Oyo Kingdom.

He said, “We are assured that Oba Owoade will lead with wisdom, integrity, and a strong commitment to fostering unity.”

In his acceptance speech, Owoade committed to prioritising the development of the kingdom and the well-being of its people.

“I will devote myself to the advancement and prosperity of the Oyo Kingdom while ensuring that the traditions and values that have sustained us for generations remain steadfast,” he declared.

Oba Owoade’s ascension follows the passing of the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in April 2022, who ruled the Oyo Kingdom for an extraordinary five decades.