From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Five prominent kingmakers in Oyo have condemned Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to initiate a new process for selecting the next Alaafin of Oyo, describing the move as illegal and a blatant disregard for the judiciary.
The kingmakers—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 Alapinni of Oyo)—expressed their disapproval through a letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN. The letter, addressed to Governor Makinde, was shared with journalists on Thursday.
The letter revealed that the governor, through the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and the chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Governments, had appointed additional warrant chiefs—Chief Odurinde Olusegun (Alajagba of Ajagba) and Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja)—to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) in commencing a new selection process for the vacant stool.
The kingmakers stated that the two local government chairmen and the newly appointed warrant chiefs were summoned on 9 January 2025 to the office of the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. There, they were instructed to begin the fresh process despite a pending court case regarding the stool.
The letter accused the governor of undermining his constitutional duty and oath of office by proceeding with the selection process while a legal challenge remains unresolved. The kingmakers also referenced a past incident where Governor Makinde dissolved democratically elected local government chairmen in defiance of a court case—a move later condemned by the Supreme Court as an act of “executive lawlessness.”
“Commencing a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo would be sub judice and tantamount to lawlessness and a disregard for the superior courts of record—an act which Your Excellency ought to distance yourself from,” the letter stated.
The kingmakers urged the governor to suspend the fresh selection process, emphasizing the need to respect the judiciary and uphold the integrity of the courts. “We request and urge Your Excellency to halt any plans to initiate a new process for the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo until the pending motion for injunction on appeal is resolved,” the letter concluded.