Don’t confront Gov. Makinde, Ogun monarch warns Alaafin

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has called on the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, to refrain from publicly challenging Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to establish a rotational Council of Obas.

Oba Akinyemi, in a statement issued Thursday, emphasized that as a traditional ruler, the Alaafin should not contest the governor’s decisions in newspapers and on social media.

He referenced the recent inauguration of the council, where the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adewolu Rashidi Ladoja, was appointed as its pioneer chairman for a two-year term.

The governor stated he had consulted the Alaafin, the Olubadan, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, all of whom allegedly supported the arrangement, though the Alaafin was absent from the ceremony.

The Eselu described a subsequent press release from the Alaafin’s palace—which claimed the governor did not consult him—as an affront to the governor’s office.

He urged the Alaafin to withdraw the statement and cease further public commentary to avoid incurring the state government’s displeasure.

Oba Akinyemi noted that rotational chairmanship of traditional councils is common in Nigeria and asserted that the era of the Oyo Empire, with the Alaafin claiming permanent chairmanship, is over.

While acknowledging the Alaafin’s revered status as a co-head of the Yoruba race, he warned that monarchs are no longer heads of government and that disobedience could have consequences, including deposition.

The Eselu concluded by advising the Alaafin to “sheath his sword,” avoid bad advisers, and not allow sentiments to threaten the revered stool of Oyo Land, expressing a personal desire for the Alaafin to enjoy a successful reign.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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