The new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has headed to Oyo town to commence a 21-day traditional rites.
Naija News reports that the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, announced Owoade as the new monarch of the ancient Yoruba community on Friday and presented him with the staff of office on Monday, 13 January 2025.
Owoade succeeded the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away three years ago.
The ceremony had the kingmakers, otherwise known as Oyomesi, top government functionaries, and eminent personalities from the state in attendance.
After the presentation of staff of office, a source who spoke with Punch said the new Alaafin is expected to be received by his subjects today in Oyo town, and the monarch will begin his 21 days of traditional rites for the ascension to the throne.
The source said, “Oba Owoade has headed to Oyo town to meet the sons and daughters of Oyo town and would proceed for his mandatory 21 days traditional rites for the ascension to the throne of his forefathers.”
Naija News reported that Governor Makinde announced Abimbola Owoade as the Alaafin-designate, bypassing the selection process led by the Oyomesi, Oyo’s traditional council of kingmakers.
The Oyomesi, entrusted with selecting the next Alaafin under the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, began the selection process after receiving approval from the Atiba Local Government in August 2022.
After screening 82 aspirants from the Agunloye Ruling House, the Oyomesi unanimously selected Lukman Gbadegesin, a grandson of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin (1956–1966), on September 30, 2022.
The Atiba Local Government communicated this decision to the governor on October 4, 2022, as mandated by Section 20 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.
The law provides a 21-day period for objections to be filed by dissatisfied aspirants or ruling houses.
However, no petitions were submitted within this period. A subsequent legal challenge by a dissatisfied aspirant was dismissed by the Oyo State High Court on December 19, 2022, which upheld the validity of the selection process.
During the legal proceedings, the state government defended the Oyomesi-led selection process, further solidifying its legitimacy.
Despite these developments, Governor Makinde withheld his approval of Gbadegesin’s appointment for over a year.