Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin
THE SPEAKER
Oyo State House of Assembly
Parliament Buildings,
SecretariatAgodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.January 20, 2026
PETITION: CALL FOR AN URGENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ALAAFIN SELECTION PROCESS AND THE ESCALATING CONFRONTATION WITH THE STATE EXECUTIVE
Honorable Speaker,
We, the concerned citizens and stakeholders of the Oyo Heritage Forum, hereby submit this formal petition to the “Pacesetter” House of Assembly. We seek an urgent legislative inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I and the subsequent legal instability threatening the ancient stool of the Alaafin.
1. The Disregard for Traditional Consensus
It is a matter of public record and pending litigation that the Oyo Mesi (Kingmakers)—the sole traditional authority for selecting an Alaafin under the 1961 Declaration—originally voted overwhelmingly for Prince Lukman Gbadegesin.The subsequent intervention by the State Government to appoint Oba Owoade bypasses the democratic and traditional consensus of the Kingmakers. We believe this “manipulated” selection undermines the sanctity of the throne and sets a dangerous precedent for the “rigging” of traditional stools by political actors.
2. Legal Vulnerability and Judicial Overreach
The current monarch’s position is precarious due to the ongoing suit (HOY/05/2025) by Prince Gbadegesin. The petition draws your attention to:The Ifa Controversy: The use of “divination” to justify the selection, which contradicts a standing 2022 High Court ruling stating that Ifa consultation is not a legal requirement in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration.The Warrant Chiefs Issue: The questionable use of emergency warrant chiefs to validate a selection that the substantive Oyo Mesi had already concluded.
3. Acts of Insubordination and Political Partisanship
Despite the government’s role in his ascension, Oba Owoade has taken the unprecedented step of suing the State Government over the Oyo State Council of Obas (Further Amendments) Law 2025.This litigation, coupled with his visible alignment with the opposition APC party, constitutes “gross misconduct” and insubordination against the State Executive.A monarch who is a product of government intervention cannot, in good conscience, turn around to challenge the state’s legislative authority over the Council of Obas
4. Our Prayers
The House of Assembly, as the representative of the people, has the power to oversee the peace and order of the state. We humbly pray the House to:Convene a Public Hearing: Invite the surviving members of the Oyo Mesi to testify on whether the selection of Oba Owoade followed the Registered Declaration.
Review the Selection Process: Investigate if there was “political rigging” or undue influence in the submission of the monarch’s name to the Executive Council.
Ensure Compliance with the 2025 Law: Ensure that no traditional ruler, regardless of historical status, is allowed to stall the rotational chairmanship which aims to bring equity to the Council of Obas.
Conclusion
The throne of Oyo belongs to the people, not to the highest political bidder. If the foundation of a King’s reign is built on manipulation, the structure cannot stand. We urge the House to act before the “Staff of Office” is further devalued by court battles and partisan bickering.
Respectfully submitted,
Otunba Dare Adelekan
Group Chief Executive
Probe Communications Group
Lead Petitioner
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