As Oyo town prepares for the grand coronation of Oba Akeem Owoade as the 46th Alaafin, the newly installed monarch has issued a stern warning against rising undercurrents of vendetta, persecution, and disunity threatening the peace of the ancient kingdom.
In a statement released by his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade called on residents to celebrate the historic event with restraint, cautioning that “beating the drums of vendetta and acrimony is an ill wind that will blow no good.”
The appeal comes amidst speculations of brewing resentment within some quarters over the succession process that eventually saw Owoade ascend the throne—an episode described by some insiders as “tortuous and politically charged.”
Despite completing his traditional rites and receiving his staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde earlier this year, whispers of discontent persist within factions loyal to other contenders for the throne, casting a shadow over what should be a unifying event.
Oba Owoade, an engineer and former project coordinator in Canada, emphasized the importance of peace and communal unity, stating that only through harmony can Oyo achieve true development and prosperity.
Meanwhile, preparations for the coronation, scheduled to hold at Olivet Baptist High School on April 5, have taken on a life of their own. Roads are being hurriedly rehabilitated, hotels are fully booked,
major markets including the historic Akesan Market will be shut down in an unprecedented lockdown for the ceremony.
The massive display of opulence and logistical fanfare, some critics argue, contrasts sharply with the monarch’s call for moderation, raising questions about priorities in a town still grappling with economic challenges.
With the town in festive overdrive and political undertones simmering beneath the surface, all eyes will be on Saturday’s coronation—not just for its regal grandeur, but for the potential political signals it might send across the traditional and political landscape of Oyo State.
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