Makinde is urged by Oyomessi to refrain from using an illegal selection process for the new Alaafin—the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has received a message from the Kingmakers of Oyo Kingdom, Oyo City, also known as OyoMessi, asking him to use due process, probity, and diligence when choosing the next ruler for the ancient city. In their letter to the state governor, Oyo's traditional Five Kingmakers characterized his decision to initiate a new procedure for choosing the Alaafin's vacancy as unlawful and disrespectful to the courts.
High Chiefs Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, a warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo; and Gbadebo Mufutau, a warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo, are the kingmakers who have voiced their disapproval of this action.
On this Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Kingmakers' legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, wrote and signed a letter to the Governor outlining their stance. "We have just been reliably informed by our clients that you have just appointed (i) Chief Odurinde Olusegun Alajagba of Ajagba and (ii) Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja) as warrant kingmakers to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) to begin the process of choosing a replacement for Alafin of Oyo," the kingmakers' attorney wrote in the letter.
The two Local Government Chairmen, the aforementioned warrant chiefs, High Chiefs Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo), disagree with the majority of Kingmakers' decision to choose Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin as the Alafin elect, were called to the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. They were instructed to start a new process to fill the Alafin of Oyo position.
However, the attorneys clarified that the Governor's attempt to initiate a new procedure violates his oath of office, and legal and constitutional obligations to uphold the constitution and to give the court the highest respect because there is an ongoing court action on the subject.
The kingmakers also pointed out that the governor's action is comparable to his previous one in which he disbanded a democratically elected Local Government chairman while ignoring a case that was still pending in court. The Supreme Court later denounced this action as a "disturbing ugly face of impunity displayed by the Governor of Oyo State, tantamount to executive lawlessness." "It would be subjudice and amount to lawlessness and disregard of the superior courts of record to proceed with a new process for the appointment of Alafin of Oyo, an act from which your Excellency should disassociate yourself."
By the law and the integrity of our courts, the letter stated, "Therefore, we again ask and urge your Excellency to suspend any plan to start a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alafin of Oyo while a motion for injunction pending appeal is pending."