Makinde Confirms Abimbola Owoade as New Alaafin of Oyo with Staff of Office

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally presented the staff of office to Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo. The ceremony, held on Monday morning at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, marked the official endorsement of Owoade as the new custodian of the revered Yoruba throne.

The occasion comes nearly three years after the passing of the former Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, whose death on April 22, 2022, left the position vacant. The presentation of the staff of office, a critical symbol of authority for the Alaafin, signifies the state’s recognition of Owoade’s ascension.

Governor Makinde’s announcement last week naming Owoade as the new Alaafin sparked debates over the selection process. However, Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, clarified the government’s decision during a press briefing last Friday.

“After thorough consultations and divinations, the Oyomesi recommended Owoade, and the governor subsequently approved the choice,” Oyelade explained. “This announcement has put to rest all the socio and legal bickerings that have ensued since the demise of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.”

The governor’s presentation of the staff of office further underscores the state’s commitment to preserving the traditions of Oyo while ensuring due process in the selection of the new monarch.