Nine royal families in Oyo, collectively known as the Atiba 9, have rejected the appointment of Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group described the selection process as a disregard for Oyo’s revered traditions and a violation of due process.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier presented the staff of office to Owoade based on Ifa’s proclamation by Prof. Wande Abimbola, a US-based Yoruba scholar. However, Prince Sina Afolabi, speaking on behalf of the Atiba 9, argued that the process ignored the cultural protocols of the royal institution.
The Atiba 9 emphasized their legitimate claims to the throne and called for adherence to the established customs in selecting the Alaafin. They also criticized internal disagreements within the Oyomesi (the traditional council responsible for the selection), urging them to resolve their disputes before proceeding with any appointment.
The group expressed fears that the controversial selection process might undermine the integrity and respect traditionally accorded to the Alaafin’s stool. They also reaffirmed their legal challenge to the process that led to Owoade’s emergence.
This marks the second major opposition to Owoade’s appointment, with five kingmakers earlier declaring the selection invalid. The Atiba 9 insists that the sanctity of Oyo’s royal institution must be preserved to avoid reducing the throne to “an object of ridicule.”
