Alaafin Refutes Claims of Deal With Makinde on Obas’ Council Rotation After Olubadan’s Inauguration

Seyi Makinde on Thursday inaugurated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, as chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ibadan, announcing that the position would rotate among three leading traditional rulers in the state.

However, the Alaafin of Oyo’s Palace has rejected reports suggesting that the monarch, Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, discussed or approved the rotational arrangement with the governor.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Alaafin’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bode Durojaiye, the Palace said it had noted comments attributed to Governor Makinde, in which he reportedly claimed to have consulted the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso ahead of the inauguration.

“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the state on the rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs,” the statement read.

The Palace firmly denied the claim, stressing that no such consultation ever took place.

“There was no time that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, held any meeting with either the State Governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned on this issue,” it stated.

It further clarified that the Alaafin did not express support for the rotational chairmanship proposal.

“The Alaafin did not tell the Governor nor make any categorical statement endorsing rotational chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the state,” the statement added.

According to the Palace, the official stance of the Alaafin and the Oyo community on the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had already been formally communicated to the governor.

“The position of the Alaafin and the entire Oyo community on the issue of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs has been clearly enunciated in a memorandum delivered to His Excellency by the Oyo Council of Elders,” the statement said.

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