The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, were conspicuously absent at the inaugural ceremony of the 50th anniversary of Oyo state on Monday.
The event held at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, to celebrate the state, which was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.
The state government had unveiled a week-long programme for the anniversary on January 21, 2026. The events include religious services, cultural exhibitions, an awards and dinner night, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating The Legacy, Navigating The Present And Reimagining The Future.”
While the Olubadan of Ibadan and Chairman of Oyo Council of Obas, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, attended the ceremony along with other traditional rulers, the absence of the Alaafin and the Soun drew attention, especially following Makinde’s recent decision to make the chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas rotational among the Alaafin, Soun, and Olubadan. Previously, the position had been permanently reserved for the Alaafin.
At Oba Ladoja’s recent inauguration, Makinde stated that the new arrangement had the buy-in of all three monarchs.
However, the Alaafin quickly issued a rebuttal, claiming he was never part of any meeting where such an agreement was reached.
Monday’s event was the first state function since the governor’s decision and the Alaafin’s rebuttal.
Efforts by our correspondent to get the reactions of spokesmen for the Alaafin and Soun, Bode Durojaye and Peter Olaleye, respectively, were not successful as their telephone numbers could not be reached.
Meanwhile, during the event, Governor Makinde cut the anniversary cake and highlighted his administration’s commitment to building a stronger, competitive economy that creates jobs, attracts investments, and expands opportunities for residents.
