The Alaafin’s Palace has refuted claims by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that he consulted with three foremost traditional rulers in the state—the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland—before announcing a rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
In a press release dated January 15, 2026, the palace stated that at no time did His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, hold any meeting with Governor Makinde or with the other two traditional rulers on the matter. The palace emphasized that any suggestion of such consultation is inaccurate.
The statement further clarified that the Alaafin neither discussed nor gave any form of endorsement to the idea of a rotational chairmanship among the three monarchs. According to the palace, no categorical statement supporting the arrangement was made by the Alaafin to the governor or to any party.
Reaffirming its stance, the palace noted that the position of the Alaafin and the entire Oyo community on the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had already been clearly articulated in a formal memo submitted to the governor by the Oyo Council of Elders.
The press release was signed by Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, who reiterated the Alaafin’s status as the Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.