Alaafin issue: MURIC draws a battle line, gives FG 30-day ultimatum to caution Gov. Makinde

Stanley Ihedigbo

Alaafin of Oyo issue has taken a dramatic turn, with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) drawing a battle line and giving the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to caution Governor Seyi Makinde.

The development comes after the Oyo kingmakers rejected Makinde’s appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo, citing that the selection process was flawed.

The kingmakers, comprised of five high-ranking chiefs, have rejected Makinde’s choice, Prince Abimbola Owoade, citing that the decision was unlawful and contrary to custom.

Instead, they insist that Prince Luqman Gbadegesin is the rightful nominee, having been selected through a majority vote in line with the 1961 Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration.

According to the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola: “The crisis engulfing Oyo town over the choice of a new Alaafin of Oyo escalated on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, when five Oyo kingmakers and Prince Lukman Gbadegesin gave Governor Seyi Makinde 30 days to reverse the appointment of Prince Hakeem Owoade.

“Similarly, nine royal families of Oyo Kingdom,m who is called the Atiba Nine (Atiba Mesan) have rejected the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. The Atiba Nine described his appointment as unacceptable and a blatant disregard for Oyo’s revered traditions.

“These two developments are the last straw that broke the camel’s back. They have stripped Makinde’s romance with Owoade of any scintilla of traditional value, honour and dignity. Not only that, they have also rubbished Makinde’s flair for Ifa divination abroad.

“This must not be part of our history. It can only be the first time in ‘geography’ that the traditionally entrenched Yoruba people will hear of Ifa divination from America particularly for the all-important assignment of picking a king, nay, the highly revered Alaafin of Oyo. Social media is awash with this curious, mysterious, and make-belief Panbolanbola Egere So-So-So at the backyard of the White House, ” he explained.

The Group Executive Director further explained that as the storm gathered, they appealed to all stakeholders in Oyo State and Yorubaland as a whole to intervene.

” Our appeal goes to state governors in the region, ex-governors of the South-West, and opinion leaders. In particular, we charge leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to make Governor Makinde see reason. His recklessness and lawlessness on the issue of the installation of traditional rulers (not only that of Alaafin) may cost the party its precious bride.

“Makinde has been maradonising on the installation of the kings of Eruwa, Ikoyi-Ile as well as the Sepeteri stool in Oke Ogun. It is our hope and prayer that this governor will not set Yorubaland on fire. We therefore appeal to all lovers of peace to talk sense to him before the expiration of the 30-day deadline,” he stated.