- Safiu Kehinde
Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed to prosecute traditional rulers Involved in extortion for Alaafin’s royal stool.
Makinde made the vow while speaking at the EXCO chamber of the Governor’s office in Ibadan on Monday during the presentation of staff to the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Akeem Owoade.
Against the backdrop of alleged extortion of princes vying for the prestigious royal seat by some Oyo kingmakers, Makinde reaffirmed his stand that the royal seat was never for sale as he accused the kingmakers of destabilizing the state’s traditional institution.
“The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo town, but to the entire Yoruba race. Under my watch, I made it very clear that that stool is not for sale. It is not a stool for us to toy with.
“Let me say this briefly. Those that are still hellbent on destabilizing our traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting go. We will prosecute them. With the money they collected, they will still be prosecuted except if the Kabiyesi forgives them, then I will also forgive them.” Makinde said.
The governor recounted his challenges with some traditional leaders in Ibadan during his first tenure.
He disclosed how he was approached over chieftaincy title which the traditional leaders wanted him to select based on political consideration.
“Let me say this clearly, when we came into government in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institutions in Ibadan land. It has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okele, some people came to me and said ‘this is our friend. The current Okele is APC.’
“It doesn’t mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. What is PDP or APC? Who knows how long they will be around? So why should a decision be based on political consideration?
“I always say to people. Don’t kill yourselves over politicians. Because we see ourselves in the dark. We go to each other’s houses. Some people came and said maybe it was political consideration. Politics, electioneering a game just like Ayo. It is only when you have been elected that governance is a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. You take decisions that may be life or death for some people. So we will notice play politics with governance.” Makinde said.
NPO earlier reported Makinde’s dismissal of his alleged involvement in the selection of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.