Kingmakers sue Makinde over Alaafin of Oyo stool

The Oyomesi in Council, the kingmakers of Oyo town, have initiated legal proceedings against the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, regarding the vacant Alaafin of Oyo stool.

In a case marked HOY/38/2023 filed before the Oyo State High Court in Oyo, five kingmakers have taken legal action, seeking a court order to prevent the governor and his representatives from interfering with the selection and appointment process for the vacant Alaafin of Oyo title, which was duly conducted by the kingmakers.

The kingmakers bringing this lawsuit include the Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

In their legal filing, the kingmakers explained that they unanimously selected Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin as the next Alaafin of Oyo during a meeting held on September 30, 2023. The Alaafin stool has been vacant since the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, in April of the previous year.

The kingmakers are seeking a court order to prevent the Oyo State Governor and his agents from invalidating the selection of Gbadegesin or recognizing any other candidate for the position, as it was chosen in accordance with the traditional customs and chieftaincy declarations of the Alaafin of Oyo.

Furthermore, they are requesting that the court prevents the governor and other defendants from dismissing them as Oyo kingmakers, dissolving the Oyomesi in Council, or appointing warrant chiefs to initiate a new selection process for the vacant Alaafin of Oyo position.

The kingmakers are also seeking court protection against harassment and interference in the performance of their traditional roles and responsibilities in the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.

It’s worth noting that some of the Oyo kingmakers were questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 18 over allegations of bribery related to the selection of the next Alaafin. They were alleged to have received substantial bribes in favor of a specific candidate. However, no hearing date has been scheduled yet for the recent lawsuit filed by the kingmakers.