By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde on Saturday advised all those who are aggrieved following the selection of Oba Abimbola Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo to take a cue from the case of Eleruwa stool which lasted several years amd after which the sacked monarch was still again re-selected and installed.
Makinde said Oba Owoade has been destined by God, choosen by the Ifa, approved by him and accepted by all sons and daughters of Oyo to be the successor of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
This is as he called on the new monarch and the Oyo mesi work to ensure that the traditions around the ascension of the Alaafin throne remain sacrosanct.
He urged them to do whatever needs to be done to protect the throne should be done, so that the lacuna that was experienced these past years will never occur again.
He said the way the selection process of the new Alaafin has been resolved is one that the forebears would have loved it resolved.
He noted that when he was sent the initial candidate selected by the King makers, he findings revealed that money had exchanged hands and that his conscience was not at peace at the process.
Makinde said the choice of the new Alaafin really represents the interest of the people and the interest of the ancestors
The governor, at the event challenged anyone who might have approached him to influence the selection of Oba Owoade to come out publicly, noting that all the contestants that people came to meet him about, were not choosen by the Ifa.
He said, “The day is finally here. You have waited, you have wondered at a point. Some of you may have asked, will it ever happen? Well, it has finally happened. In this gathering, if there is anyone here who ever came to me to influence the selection of the Alaafin, he should raise his hand or come forward.
“All those they came to me because of them, the Ifa didn’t pick them. The person picked by the Ifa and who got the seal and acceptance of you people is the one whose coronation we are wirnessing today.
“We are here today to witness the coronation official ceremony today of His Imperial Majesty Ikubabayeye Oba Aabimbola Owoade I, as the 46th Allah Alaafin of Oyo, as we fondly refer to this ancient town, is one of the oldest civilizations of Yoruba history.
“So when they brought to me the first selection process. The person even went on air to annojnce himself as the Alaafin-elect. Then i made my findings, and i fiund out that some people had collected money in the process. Then I asked myself and my conscience, is Alaafin stool for sale? And I said no, I cannot defend it before my own maker.
“So, we have gathered to witness today, the coronation of Kabeisi, Oba Abimbola Owoade. By this singular act, we are reminded that even if some things happen and we are derailed, we will never lose our way. Yes, a lot happened since the last Alaafin joined his ancestors, leaving the throne to his fathers vacant for a while.
“But we are happy today that those issues have been resolved in the way our fathers would have liked it to be. And today, not only the people of Oyo ile, but the people of Oyo State, we can be proud again. We can be proud that we have a Kabiesi now that really represents the interest of our people and the interest of our ancestors.
“As I said on several occasions, when it comes to maintaining traditional institutions, this administration will maintain a spotless record of never interfering with the process. We will be there to see that due process is followed. We will be impartial, we will stand at the sidelines, ensuring that rules are not broken, but never entering the field of play from one side or the other.
“So I want to say congratulations once again to the people of Oyo Kingdom.Your patience, your resilience have paid off. And this is why today has become a reality.
“As for the Kabiesi, I have just said that any time we have a problem, God is there to help us. As I mentioned earlier, this ancient town is the custodian of rich history and tradition, and will continue to play a pivotal role in the growth and development of our dear state. When we think of Oyo Kingdom, one of the first things that come to our mind is homecoming.
“We think of the important heritage sites that we have here. We have the old Oyo National Park. Well, in December 2023, UNESCO recognized the World Sango Festival domicile hereon the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
“The first Special Agro-Processing Zone and Agricultural Transformation Center, ATC, as designated by the African Development Bank, is also here at Fashola. So as we celebrate culture and tourism this year, during the International Tourism Summit, (ITS) Oyo State 2025, our attention will again be turned to Oyo Zone, as we welcome visitors from across Nigeria and the world, and showcase the heritage sites from this zone.
“I know Kabiesi is a lover of tourism, so he will be happy with what he’s hearing. So, today is indeed the beginning of great things to come to this zone, not just under this administration, but even well into the future. Because no matter what happens to us as humans, no one can take away our history. So this is a day for all of us Yorubas, both at home and in the diaspora, to rejoice.
“Let me use this opportunity as I rounf-up, to ask that Kabiesi and the Oyo mesi work to ensure that the traditions around the ascension of the Alaafin throne remain sacrosanct. Whatever needs to be done to protect the throne should be done so that the lacuna that we experienced these past years will never occur again.
“So, all those angry, threatening to go to court, they should go amd ask from the people of Eruwa, after almost over 20 years, the court removed the Eleruwa. They went through the process again, the same person has emerged again as Eleruwa.
“So, anybody going to court, don’t go there and waste your time, waste our time. God has choosen for us, the Ifa approves of it, Oyo town approves it, Seyi Makinde approves it, and Oyo state approves it.
“On behalf of the Oyo State Government, the sons and daughters of Oyo and the good people of Oyo State,we wish His Imperial Majesty a long, peaceful, and successful reign. May Oyo Kingdom experience unrival ddevelopment, peace, and tranquility during Kabiesi reign.”
