Governor Seyi Makinde has officially presented the Staff of Office to Prince Abimbola Owoade, age 46, as the new Alaafin of Oyo, despite strong opposition from traditional kingmakers.
The ceremony took place Monday morning at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
The installation comes amid significant pushback from Oyo kingmakers, who recently issued a letter to the governor declaring the appointment illegal and void. According to the kingmakers, Prince Owoade’s selection bypassed traditional procedures, as they had not granted their approval for his ascension. Instead, they maintain that Prince Luqman Adelodun Gbadegesin is their chosen candidate for the throne.
The position of Alaafin became vacant following the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022. Prince Owoade, the newly installed monarch, brings to the throne an ambitious agenda that includes widow and widower empowerment programs, palace modernization while preserving cultural heritage, and initiatives to boost local economic development.
Speaking to his vision for the kingdom, Owoade has outlined plans to establish a museum for Yoruba artifacts, promote traditional customs, and create vocational training programs to address youth unemployment. These initiatives are expected to blend modern development with cultural preservation in the historic kingdom.
The controversial installation marks a significant moment in Oyo’s traditional leadership, highlighting tensions between governmental authority and traditional institutions in modern Nigeria.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
