Prince Ismail Owoade, one of 82 aspirants to the Alaafin of Oyo throne, has filed a lawsuit against Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, contesting the governor’s choice to involve Professor Wande Abimbola in consulting the Ifa oracle for the selection of the next Alaafin.

The legal challenge, filed at the Oyo State High Court (Case No. HOY/04/2025), alleges that the governor’s decision breaches traditional protocols and statutory laws governing the process.

In the suit, Prince Owoade, a relative of the recently appointed Alaafin, Oba Akeem Owoade, argues that the appointment of Professor Abimbola, a figure he claims is “foreign to Oyo Native Law and Custom”violates both the Chiefs Law of Oyo State (2000) and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961. Represented by counsel B.P. Ogundele, the prince seeks a court declaration nullifying the governor’s actions as “invalid, illegal, null, and void.”

The claimant asserts that the responsibility of consulting the Ifa oracle lies solely with the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, working alongside the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) and the Oluwo Alaafin. He insists that Governor Makinde overstepped his authority by appointing Professor Abimbola, thereby sidelining the Baba Iyaji, a key figure mandated by tradition to oversee the nomination process.

Owoade’s suit demands the annulment of Oba Akeem Owoade’s appointment and an injunction blocking his coronation, scheduled for April 4, 2025.

He further challenges the legitimacy of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin’s selection by the kingmakers, citing the exclusion of the Baba Iyaji as a violation of legal and customary frameworks.

The prince also urges the court to validate his own nomination, facilitated by the Baba Iyaji, as the lawful candidate and compel the Oyo Mesi to finalize the process under traditional guidelines.

Yesterday, the Alaafin-designate, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has disowned a coronation committee formed without his authorization. In a public statement, he declared the committee “illegal,” stressing that all preparations must first receive his official approval.

The notice warned against unauthorized fundraising or organizational efforts, directing the dissolution of any such groups and reaffirming the royal family’s sole authority over coronation plans.

Prince Ismail Owoade, one of 82 aspirants to the Alaafin of Oyo throne, has filed a lawsuit against Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, contesting the governor’s choice to involve Professor Wande Abimbola in consulting the Ifa oracle for the selection of the next Alaafin.

The legal challenge, filed at the Oyo State High Court (Case No. HOY/04/2025), alleges that the governor’s decision breaches traditional protocols and statutory laws governing the process.

In the suit, Prince Owoade, a relative of the recently appointed Alaafin, Oba Akeem Owoade, argues that the appointment of Professor Abimbola, a figure he claims is “foreign to Oyo Native Law and Custom”violates both the Chiefs Law of Oyo State (2000) and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961. Represented by counsel B.P. Ogundele, the prince seeks a court declaration nullifying the governor’s actions as “invalid, illegal, null, and void.”

The claimant asserts that the responsibility of consulting the Ifa oracle lies solely with the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, working alongside the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) and the Oluwo Alaafin. He insists that Governor Makinde overstepped his authority by appointing Professor Abimbola, thereby sidelining the Baba Iyaji, a key figure mandated by tradition to oversee the nomination process.

Owoade’s suit demands the annulment of Oba Akeem Owoade’s appointment and an injunction blocking his coronation, scheduled for April 4, 2025.

He further challenges the legitimacy of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin’s selection by the kingmakers, citing the exclusion of the Baba Iyaji as a violation of legal and customary frameworks.

The prince also urges the court to validate his own nomination, facilitated by the Baba Iyaji, as the lawful candidate and compel the Oyo Mesi to finalize the process under traditional guidelines.

Yesterday, the Alaafin-designate, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has disowned a coronation committee formed without his authorization. In a public statement, he declared the committee “illegal,” stressing that all preparations must first receive his official approval.

The notice warned against unauthorized fundraising or organizational efforts, directing the dissolution of any such groups and reaffirming the royal family’s sole authority over coronation plans.