Despite litigation challenging the emergence of Akeem Owoade as the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde has said the April 5 coronation of Owoade will go on as scheduled
Speaking with The Punch, on Thursday, through his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde held that there was no court judgment stopping the state government from the coronation of Owoade as Alaafin.
“Is there any ruling that stops the government from going ahead with the coronation? Is there any?
“We are going ahead because there is no court judgment that is stopping us from going ahead,” Makinde said.
This position comes despite no fewer than two contestants for the throne, Lukman Gbadegesin and Ismaila Owoade filing lawsuits challenging Makinde’s approval and his January 13 presentation of certificate and staff of office to Owoade as new Alaafin.
The litigations commenced after Governor Seyi Makinde approved Owoade as Alaafin and on January 13 presented him with his certificate and staff of office at the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Ibadan.
One of the lawsuits was filed by Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, a contender for the throne, who is arguing that Owoade’s appointment violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
Filed on February 12, Gbadegesin’s suit seeks to nullify Owoade’s appointment and prevent him from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.
Similarly, another Oyo prince and former aspirant to the Alaafin throne, Ismaila Owoade filed a separate lawsuit against Governor Makinde and 19 others.
His suit challenges his exclusion from the selection process, which he claims was abruptly truncated with the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade.
Head of the state planning committee for the Alaafin coronation, Demola Ojo, also affirmed that preparation for the coronation was ongoing.
In the meantime, the Alaafin-designate, at his private residence, played host to many visitors upon his arrival in Oyo town, on Thursday.
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