Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, one of the contestants for the revered stool, has approached the court to challenge Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval and presentation of the staff of office to Owoade.
According to The PUNCH, Gbadegesin, who claims to have been endorsed by a majority of the Oyomesi kingmakers, argues that the governor’s actions contravene the provisions of the Chiefs’ Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
In a pre-action notice filed by his legal counsel, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, Gbadegesin is seeking to nullify Owoade’s appointment.
“The governor’s decision to approve a different candidate undermines the powers of the Oyomesi and violates the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which vests the authority for the selection of the Alaafin solely in the Oyomesi,” the notice stated.
The dispute stems from the Oyomesi’s divided recommendation, with five out of seven members reportedly endorsing Gbadegesin.
However, Governor Makinde approved Prince Owoade’s appointment on January 10, 2025, and subsequently presented him with the staff of office during a formal ceremony.
At the event, the governor emphasized his commitment to preserving the sanctity of the Alaafin stool. “We will not allow the traditional institution to be politicized. Those who paid to destabilize it will face prosecution,” Makinde declared.
Gbadegesin’s legal team, however, maintains that the governor’s reliance on Ifa consultation in the selection process contradicts a December 2022 judgment by the Oyo State High Court.
The court had ruled that Ifa consultation is not stipulated in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
The notice further alleges that accusations of bribery against two Oyomesi members were raised long after the selection process and were neither formally communicated to the governor nor investigated.
Gbadegesin is seeking a court order to void Owoade’s appointment, calling it “unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.” He also demands recognition of his selection as valid and compliant with existing legal provisions.
