Tired of keeping quiet amid alleged repeated malicious comments from Governor Seyi Makinde, the kingmakers in Oyo have challenged him to present any evidence he has against them in court and desist from further defaming them over Alààfin stool.
Governor Makinde had on Friday, January 10, sidestepped the Oyomesi’s nomination of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin and appointed Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The action has set Makinde and the Oyomesi on a war path since with the Governor accusing some of the kingmakers of collecting bribe to pick Prince Gbadegesin.
In his speech at the presentation of staff of office to the new Alaafin, the Governor threatened to jail the Kingmakers if found out that they compromised the process of selecting a new Alààfin.
But in a letter to the Governor by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, the kingmakers expressed displeasure over being subjected to media trial and court of public opinion allegedly by the Governor.
The aggrieved Kingmakers are High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo.
“We recognise Your Excellency’s right to defend your actions in court, given the ongoing legal challenge to your recent decision. However, we respectfully remind Your Excellency that the court is the appropriate forum for presenting evidence and arguments.
“The Oyomesi, in their respect for the high office of the Governor of Oyo State, have refrained from joining issues with you in the public arena. It is, therefore, disheartening that Your Excellency continues to make public statements that cast aspersions on their integrity.
“We urge Your Excellency to refrain from resorting to a trial by media or the court of public opinion in a bid to confer legitimacy on recent unlawful acts of the state, under your command. If there is any evidence to support these allegations, we respectfully advise that it should be brought before the court, where it can be properly examined and addressed.
” Publicly maligning the Oyomesi, who are custodians of tradition and highly respected in the Oyo Kingdom, undermines not only their reputation but also the sanctity of the ongoing judicial process and defamatory of our clients.”
The kingmakers added that they have maintained their integrity and remained committed to upholding the traditions and customs of the Oyo Kingdom and as such consider the continued attempt at public trial of their character as unwarranted and unbecoming of the high standards expected of the office of the Governor.
“Please recognize that you remain liable to prosecution for the defamatory acts committed by you in office, for which you may be held accountable after your period of immunity is over,” they added.
