By Laolu Elijah, Ibadan

NINE royal families in Oyo, on Tuesday, faulted the presentation of staff of office to Oba Akeem Owoade as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. They said recognition of the monarch without going through seclusion is not in tandem with the tradition of the ancient city.

The families, in a statement signed by Prince Sina Afolabi representing Adeitan Royal Family, argued that Prince Owoade’s appointment goes against Oyo’s customs, culture, and traditions, and also violates the Rule of Law.

The families, who opposed the appointment of the king, are Prince Remi Azeez,(Tella Okitipapa), Prince Lamola Olanite (Olanite), Prince Agboin Adelabu,(Adelabu), Prince Raji Adeniran (Adeniran, Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun), Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan, (Adesokan Baba Idode), Prince Adesiyan(Adesiyan) and Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun).

“What the governor did was totally against the highly revered Alaafin Stool. His action has reduced the throne to an object of ridicule. It was expected of Governor Makinde, an apostle of due process, to have followed a just line of action and avoid reducing the Alaafin Stool or the Alaafin to an ordinary oba without honour.”

They pointed out that the choice of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi was done in accordance with the custom and tradition of Ife.

Underscoring the importance of seclusion before being pronounced king, they said, “We don’t want our revered stool or the Alaafin to become an object of ridicule and mockery in the future. We don’t want him to be referred to as an oba that was anointed in Ibadan, precisely at the Office of the Governor. We don’t want people to refer to him as an Alaafin that did not enter Ipebi.”

“The Alaafin of Oyo is a prominent and first-class traditional ruler in the entire Yorubaland. We, the Atiba 9, are against the process embarked upon by the state government to make Omooba Owoade the Alaafin. It should be stopped and the right thing must be done in appointing a new Alaafin.

“We don’t have anything personal against Omooba Owoade who was appointed as the Alaafin on Monday. He too made efforts to become the oba. We don’t have any personal issues with Omooba Lukman Gbadegesin either.

“However, our grouse is against the process through which Owoade and Gbadegesin emerged as candidates to the Alaafin Stool. And what Governor Makinde had done by making Omooba Owoade the Alaafin is an attempt to ridicule the throne. We, the Atiba 9, don’t want it!”

While acknowledging Prof Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa Oracle, they reasoned that the divination should have been done at the shrine at Oyo and not outside the town.

“We respect Professor Wande Abimbola who consulted Ifa, but if he wants to be fair to all, he should come and consult Ifa at Ojude Ogun here in Oyo.

“Whatever is the grouse or disagreement between the Basorun and other members of the Oyo Mesi should be resolved. They should call themselves together and settle their crisis amicably before any process of installing a new Alaafin can be embarked upon”.

“If we should look at it critically as things stand now, some obas who are supposed to be taking instructions from the Alaafin will not be doing that; they will not respect him as they will see him as not being properly appointed. The Alaafin should not be reduced to an ordinary oba.”

“We are not against whoever is appointed as the Alaafin but the process must be by out established custom, culture and tradition and the rule of law. Whoever that emerged through such a process will be acceptable to us”, they concluded.