In a stunning revelation that surprises attendees at the coronation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde disclosed on Saturday that there were attempts to manipulate the sacred process of selecting the next monarch including allegations of bribery and backdoor lobbying.
Speaking at the coronation of Oba Abdulakeem Abimbola Owoade I as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, held at Olivet Baptist High School yesterday, Makinde pulled no punches as he narrated how individuals tried to sway the royal selection process in their favor.
“Some people came to meet me to influence the selection process of the new Alaafin, but the Oracle didn’t really pick their candidates,” Makinde revealed.
“When they brought to me the first selection process and the person went on air to declare himself as the Alaafin-elect, I conducted an investigation and discovered that some people were bribed.”
The Governor’s explosive claims mark a rare public acknowledgment of corruption attempts in the highly revered traditional institution. Makinde said he was guided by conscience and tradition, refusing to approve a process tainted by backdoor dealings.
“I asked my conscience if the Alaafin’s stool was for sale and I said no, because I cannot defend it before my Maker,” he declared, earning applause from the audience.
The new Alaafin’s ascension, according to the governor, is not only a victory for due process but also for the cultural integrity of Oyo Kingdom.
“The person that Ifa and the people of Oyo chose is the person we are witnessing his coronation here today,” Makinde affirmed. “Oyo is one of the oldest civilisations in Yoruba history.”
He assured that under his administration, the independence of traditional institutions would remain protected, adding: “We will be impartial, stand at the sideline, ensuring that rules are not broken for one side or the other.”
Makinde didn’t stop there. In what appeared to be a stern warning to dissenters, he addressed those challenging Oba Owoade’s emergence in court:
“Don’t go there to waste your time and waste our own time too. God has chosen for us. The people are also in support of the choice as well as the government of the state.”
Makinde’s fiery defense of the process was reinforced by other dignitaries present. President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Chief Bayo Adelabu, described the throne as “a symbol of cultural pride, unity and the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most powerful empires.”
Also lending her voice, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu praised the governor for quenching the people’s “thirst for a new Alaafin” with a ruler “without controversy.”
Meanwhile, the newly installed Alaafin, Oba Owoade, in his acceptance speech, thanked Makinde for “unrelenting support to the traditional institution” and called for unity among all Oyo communities.
“We must work together to foster a sense of belonging and overcome challenges… for the progress of Oyo Kingdom and the entire state,” the monarch said.
The ceremony drew a constellation of royal dignitaries, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Ooni of Ife, Olu of Warri, and international diplomats from Portugal, Cuba, Brazil, and Spain; a testament to the throne’s global cultural significance.
Makinde used the occasion to spotlight Oyo’s rich cultural assets, including the UNESCO-recognised World Sango Festival and the Old Oyo National Park, positioning the town as a future hub for international tourism and agro-industrial transformation.
“Today is indeed the beginning of the good that would come to this zone,” Makinde said. “No matter what happens to us as humans, we must not forget our history.”