Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, shared his unexpected and humbling experience that led to his rise as the monarch of the historic Yoruba kingdom.
In an interview published by the Nigerian Tribune, the engineer-turned-monarch explained that he never sought the throne, nor was he connected to any political figures, including the governor who approved his selection.
“I swear to Almighty God, I didn’t know the governor. I never met him before. It was based on Ifa divination that I became the Alaafin of Oyo,” he stated, confirming that his ascension was rooted in traditional practices rather than political influence.
Oba Owoade revealed that he was in Canada when he first learned of his selection. He described how he had just woken up from sleep when he checked his phone and saw a message from his younger brother. The message contained a link, which, when clicked, revealed the headline: “Governor Makinde approves Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin-elect.”
The monarch admitted that he initially declined the invitation to contest for the throne, as he was not interested in the position. However, after persistent persuasion from his family members, he reconsidered. “I said I was not interested. But, after some persuasion, I gave in. Thank God I am here as the Alaafin and I am in Oyo to stay,” he shared.
Oba Owoade expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for respecting the traditional selection process, ensuring that politics did not interfere with the decision. “I will commend the governor because he respected our culture and tradition,” he remarked.
During the interview, the new Alaafin also addressed rumors of extravagant spending during the selection process. He firmly denied these rumors, noting that any financial exchanges were limited to normal gifts and not large sums of money. “It is not like giving millions – N5million, N10million or N20million. I’m telling you, I wasn’t involved in that,” he clarified.
Reflecting on his time in seclusion, known as the Ipebi, Oba Owoade described it as a period of deep learning and cultural immersion. He shared that he was taught traditional history and politics by experts, offering him insight into the rich heritage of Oyo and Yorubaland.
Paying homage to past Alaafins, especially Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi and Alaafin Ladigbolu I, the new monarch pledged to live up to their legacies. He expressed a strong commitment to providing good governance for the people of Oyo. “I believe that, with the people’s cooperation, we can cover miles because Agbajo owo ni a fi n so’ya, owo kan o gb’eru d’ori,” he stated.
Concluding his remarks, Oba Owoade emphasized the importance of unity and inclusivity, noting that he would embrace all religions during his reign. “I embrace all religions. The Yoruba say Iwa l’esin. Your connection with your God matters more than the number of times you display religiosity,” he concluded.
