THE NATION
Five of the seven kingmakers in Oyo have dragged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Biodun Aikomo and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to court over government’s refusal to approve the selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The kingmakers are High Chiefs Ayoola (Basorun of Oyo), Wakeel Oyedepo (Lagunna) and Amusa Yusuf (Akinniku). Others are Chief Wahab Oyetunji (Are-Ago Basorun) and Gbadebo Mufutau (Alapo of Oyo).
The plaintiffs did not honour the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week. Only High Chiefs Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin) and Lamidi Oyewole (Iba Samu) honoured the agency’s invitation.
There have been suggestions that the kingmakers did not follow due process in selecting Gbadegesin, hence the reluctance of Governor Makinde to approve his nomination.
The governor had directed the kingmakers to restart the selection exercise with an emphasis on following due process. But the Basorun had insisted that Gbadegesin was properly selected, vowing not to return to a completed exercise.
In their suit filed at an Oyo State High Court, Oyo, the kingmakers are praying the court to restrain the governor from dissolving the Oyomesi or appointing others in their stead. They are also seeking an injunction restraining the governor and the ministry from recognising or approving any other candidate for the stool of the Alaafin other than Gbadegesin.
They also want the court to grant an injunction restraining the government from preventing them from performing the functions of their offices pending the hearing and determination of the case.
They explained that the ground for their action was a plan by the government to dissolve the Oyomesi and appoint warrant chiefs to restart the process and choose another candidate for the stool.
