ALAAFIN: Gov. Makinde Threatens To Prosecute Oyomesi Kingmakers Over Fraud Allegation
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – Oyo state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde‘ has threatened to prosecute some of Oyo kingmakers otherwise known as Oyomesi over allegation of fraud except they seek forgiveness from the Alaafin designate, Oba Akeem Owoade.
Governor Makinde made this known at the presentation of Instruments of Office to the new Alaafin of Oyo at the Executive Chamber of the Governor”s Office Ibadan on Tuesday.
The governor, who insisted that he has no prior relationship with the new monarch said the affected kingmakers would be pardoned if they genuinely seek forgiveness from Kabiyesi.
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According to him, “Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them.
“The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them”
He maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency.
“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 never spoke 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.
“I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.
“The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me.
“The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world.
“I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as Yoruba race in general,”
In his response, Alaafin Owoade promised to work for the progress of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the development of the people.
He thanked the Governor, the Oyomesi and everyone that worked for his selection and assumption of office as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.