Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. This announcement was made on Friday in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade.
According to the statement, Prince Owoade was selected after an extensive and traditional process involving consultations and divinations carried out by the Oyomesi, the kingmakers of Oyo. The Oyomesi subsequently recommended him to Governor Makinde for approval, which has now been granted.
“Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divination, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the new Alaafin of Oyo,” the statement read.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademola Ojo, noted that the appointment officially ends the legal and social controversies that followed the passing of the former Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. The late Oba Adeyemi, a respected monarch who ruled for over five decades, passed away on April 22, 2022, leaving a leadership vacuum in the Oyo Kingdom.
Ojo described the announcement as a decisive resolution to the succession disputes that arose after the late monarch’s death. He called on the people of Oyo to rally around the newly appointed Alaafin and support him in his leadership role.
Mr. Oyelade expressed confidence that the reign of Prince Owoade would bring peace, unity, and prosperity to the Oyo Kingdom. He further emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the traditional institution in preserving its cultural heritage while fostering development within the state.
The appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade marks a significant step in upholding the ancient traditions of the Alaafin’s stool, a revered institution in Yoruba history. Preparations for the official coronation of the new Alaafin are underway, as the people of Oyo eagerly await the beginning of a new era of leadership under Prince Owoade.
