Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emphatically declared that the revered stool of the Alaafin of Oyo is not up for sale, brushing aside attempts to politicize the sacred selection process.
On the 13th of January, 2025, Makinde revealed how certain individuals sought to manipulate the process by introducing candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for consideration. However, he stood firm, prioritizing tradition over politics.
Recall that, on the 10th of January, 2025, the governor announced Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin.
This decision, however, met resistance from some members of the Oyomesi, who contended that the Alaafin should be chosen strictly based on the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration, not through consultation or divination, as the governor had explained.
Interestingly, Makinde disclosed that his first encounter with Oba Owoade was just a day before the official presentation of the staff of office and certificate of recognition.
Addressing the gathering at the Oyo Government House in Ibadan, he remarked: “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with.
“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I had never spoken to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool, and it was deliberate because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.”
Makinde also highlighted his commitment to impartiality in traditional matters.
He recalled an earlier instance when political affiliations were brought up during the approval of a monarch in Saki.
“They said, ‘This is our friend,’ and that one person was APC. I told them, ‘It does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC.’ Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers,” he asserted.
Governor Makinde’s stance underscores his dedication to upholding the sanctity and integrity of Yoruba tradition, irrespective of external pressures or political undertones.