Alaafin’s coronation will hold as scheduled – Gov. Makinde

The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has said the April 5 coronation of Owoade will go on as scheduled.

Speaking on Thursday through his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor held that there was no court judgment stopping the state government from the coronation of Owoade as Alaafin.

“Is there any ruling that stops the government from going ahead with the coronation? Is there any?

“We are going ahead because there is no court judgment that is stopping us from going ahead,” Makinde said.

Also on Thursday, the head of the state planning committee for the Alaafin coronation, Demola Ojo, also affirmed that preparation for the coronation was ongoing.

It would be recalled that two contestants for the throne, Lukman Gbadegesin and Ismaila Owoade had filed lawsuits challenging Makinde’s approval and his January 13 presentation of certificate and staff of office to Owoade as new Alaafin.

The litigations commenced after Makinde approved Owoade as Alaafin and on January 13 presented him with his certificate and staff of office at the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Ibadan.

One of the lawsuits was filed by Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, a contender for the throne, who is arguing that Owoade’s appointment violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.