Five prominent members of the Oyo Kingdom's royal council, known as the Oyo Kingmakers, have publicly rejected the recent appointment of Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. The Kingmakers have stated that the selection process was not properly followed and that they were not consulted in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Oyo Kingdom.
The five dissenting Kingmakers, in a joint statement, emphasized the importance of adhering to the historical and cultural procedures that govern the selection of the Alaafin, a revered position in the Yoruba kingdom. They cited concerns over the transparency of the appointment process and questioned the legitimacy of the Governor's actions without their involvement.
The Kingmakers, who play a critical role in choosing the Alaafin, asserted that the decision should have been made collectively, with input from all relevant traditional authorities. They have called for a review of the process and urged the Governor to reconsider his appointment in light of these concerns.
"We stand by the traditions that have guided the selection of the Alaafin for centuries," said one of the Kingmakers, "and we believe that any deviation from these practices undermines the integrity of our kingdom."