Nine families of the Atiba ruling House have rejected the appointment of Oba Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo.
They alleged that the appointment of Prince Owoade as the designated Alaafin was contrary to Oyo customs, culture and tradition, adding that the process was also against the rule of law.
His position was made known in a statement signed on his behalf by Prince Sina Afolabi of the Adeitan family and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The other eight princes of the Atiba Royal Families included Prince Remi Azeez (Tella Okitipapa); Prince Lamola Olanita (Olanita); Prince Agboin Adelabu (Adelabu); Prince Raji Adeniran (Adeniran); Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun); Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan (Adesokan Baba Idode): Prince Adesiyan (Adesiyan) and Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun).
It was noted that they were not against the persons of Prince Akeem Owoade and Prince Ridwan Gbadegesin, another contender, as they have legitimacy to seek the throne, but insisted that the process that produced the former was not in line with tradition. of the ancient city of Oyo.
The Atiba 9 also revealed that they were still pursuing the case they presented in court against the process that produced Owoade and Gbadegesin as the two contenders to the throne before the former's final appearance as the designated Alaafin.
The spokesperson of the Atiba Royal Families, Prince Sina Afolabi, stated that the process that produced Owoade was against the custom and tradition of the Oyo Royal Houses in regards to the manufacturing and installation of the Alaafin.
He added that Governor Makinde, who has been an advocate of due process, was wrong to declare: “What the governor did was totally against the much revered Alaafin bench. His action has reduced the Throne to an object of ridicule.
“Governor Makinde, an apostle of due process, was expected to have followed a just course of action and avoided reducing the Alaafin Stool or the Alaafin to an Oba Gbandu or Oba Yebuyebu (an ordinary oba without honour).
“When the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, was to be appointed oba, he entered Ipebi and everything was done according to Ife custom and tradition before he was proclaimed as Oonirisa.
“We do not want our revered stool or the Alaafin to become an object of ridicule and ridicule in the future. We do not want him to be referred to as an anointed oba in Ibadan, precisely in the Governor's Office. We do not want people to refer to him as an Alaafin who did not enter Ipebi.
READ ALSO: Buy Something Or Go Out: Check Out Starbucks Code Of Conduct Changes
“The Alaafin of Oyo is a prominent and first-class traditional ruler throughout Yorubaland. We, the Atiba 9, are against the process initiated by the state government to convert Omooba Owoade into Alaafin. It must be stopped and the right thing must be done by appointing a new Alaafin.
“We have nothing personal against Omooba Owoade who was appointed Alaafin on Monday. He also made efforts to become an oba. We also have no personal problem with Omooba Ridwan Gbadegesin.
“However, our complaint is against the process by which Owoade and Gbadegesin emerged as candidates for the Alaafin seat. And what Governor Makinde had done by making Omooba Owoade the Alaafin in an attempt to ridicule the throne. We, the Atiba 9, do not want it!
“We respect Professor Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa, but if he wants to be fair to everyone, he should come and consult Ifa at Ojude Ogun here in Oyo,” Prince Afolabi said.
The Atiba 9 also tasked Oyo Mesi, under the leadership of Basorun, to amicably resolve any disagreements they have between them, noting that they are the only ones who can initiate the process of selecting a new Alaafin.
“Any grievance or disagreement between the Basorun and other members of Oyo Mesi must be resolved. They should meet and resolve their crisis amicably before any process of installing a new Alaafin can be undertaken,” Prince Afolabi added in the statement.
He added that with the current arrangement, any occupant of the Alaafin Stool will lose the respect of other Yoruba obas, especially those who were supposed to take instructions from him.
“If we look at it critically as things stand now, some obas who are supposed to take instructions from the Alaafin will not do so; They will not respect him because they will see that he has not been properly appointed. The Alaafin should not be reduced to an ordinary oba.
“These are our grouse. We are not against whoever is appointed as Alaafin, but the process must be carried out in accordance with our established customs, culture and tradition and the rule of law. Whoever emerges from that process will be acceptable to us,” Prince Afolabi added in the statement.