BY MYKE UZENDU
As condemnations continue to trail the choice and presentation of staff of office to the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akerm Owoade, by the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, about none royal families in the ancient town have accused the governor of breaching the revered tradition and culture of the land in the manner he handled the presentation of staff of office
The royal families described as a breach of the revered tradition of Oyo, and faulted the governor for presenting the revered staff of office of Alaafin outside the Oyo ancient kingdom
They regretted that Governor Makinde had presented the Alaafin of Oyo staff of office to his choice candidate, Akerm Owoade in Ibadan contrary to Oyo tradition as against the choice of the king makers, the Oyomesi
The nine royal families in Oyo on Tuesday, said the presentation of staff of office to Oba Akeem Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo saying recognition of the monarch without going through seclusion is not in tandem with the tradition of the ancient city.
The families in a statement signed by Prince Sina Afolabi representing Adeitan Royal Family argued that Prince Owoade’s appointment goes against Oyo’s customs, culture, and traditions, and also violates the Rule of Law.
The families who opposed the appointment of the king are Prince Remi Azeez,(Tella Okitipapa), Prince Lamola Olanite (Olanite), Prince Agboin Adelabu,(Adelabu), Prince Raji Adeniran (Adeniran, Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun), Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan, (Adesokan Baba Idode), Prince Adesiyan(Adesiyan) and Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun).
They described the governor’s action as totally against the highly revered Alaafin Stool, adding that the governor has reduced the throne to an object of ridicule. It was expected of Governor Makinde, an apostle of due process, to have followed a just line of action and avoid reducing the Alaafin Stool or the Alaafin to an ordinary oba without honour.”
They pointed out that the choice of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi was done in accordance with the custom and tradition of Ife, and regretted that the governor had treated the appointment of Alaafin of Oyo with scorn and ridicule.
Underscoring the importance of seclusion before being pronounced king, they said, “We don’t want our revered stool or the Alaafin to become an object of ridicule and mockery in the future. We don’t want him to be referred to as an oba that was anointed in Ibadan, precisely at the Office of the Governor. We don’t want people to refer to him as an Alaafin that did not enter Ipebi.”
“The Alaafin of Oyo is a prominent and first-class traditional ruler in the entire Yorubaland. We, the Atiba 9, are against the process embarked upon by the state government to make Omooba Owoade the Alaafin. It should be stopped and the right thing must be done in appointing a new Alaafin.
“We don’t have anything personal against Omooba Owoade who was appointed as the Alaafin on Monday. He too made efforts to become the oba. We don’t have any personal issues with Omooba Lukman Gbadegesin either.
“However, our grouse is against the process through which Owoade and Gbadegesin emerged as candidates to the Alaafin Stool. And what Governor Makinde had done by making Omooba Owoade the Alaafin is an attempt to ridicule the throne. We, the Atiba 9, don’t want it!”
While acknowledging Prof Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa Oracle, they reasoned that the divination should have been done at the shrine at Oyo and not outside the town.
“We respect Professor Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa, but if he wants to be fair to all, he should come and consult Ifa at Ojude Ogun here in Oyo.
“Whatever is the grouse or disagreement between the Basorun and other members of the Oyo Mesi should be resolved. They should call themselves together and settle their crisis amicably before any process of installing a new Alaafin can be embarked upon”.
“If we should look at it critically as things stand now, some obas who are supposed to be taking instructions from the Alaafin will not be doing that; they will not respect him as they will see him as not being properly appointed. The Alaafin should not be reduced to an ordinary oba.
“We are not against whoever is appointed as the Alaafin but the process must be by out established custom, culture and tradition and the rule of law. Whoever that emerged through such a process will be acceptable to us”, the royal families concluded.