Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday disclosed that he warned interested parties that the Oyo of Alaafin’s stool was not for sale.
Makinde disclosed that some people brought their friends from the All Progressives Congress, APC, for consideration as the Alaafin of Oyo.
On January 10, the governor had named Owoade as the new Alaafin but some members of the Oyomesi rejected his appointment.
The Oyomesi argued that the Alaafin should be chosen according to the 1967 Chieftaincy Declaration and not through consultation or divination as Makinde stated.
However, Makinde revealed that he met the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, for the first time on Sunday.
Speaking during the presentation of the staff and certificate of recognition at the Oyo government house in Ibadan, Makinde said: “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with.
“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I had never spoken to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool, and it was deliberate, because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.
“Let me say this clearly: when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers.”