Why Alaafin, Soun Thrones Still Vacant — Makinde
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained that the delay in the appointment of new traditional rulers for the Alaafin of Oyo and Soun of Ogbomosoland is to allow due process to be followed in their selection.
The Governor made this statement on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima in Ibadan.
Makinde emphasised the need to avoid past mistakes and follow the institutional framework in selecting the new monarchs to ensure that the process is efficient and legally binding.
Makinde’s stance is to prevent any legal challenges to the emergence of the new traditional rulers, as happened in the past, and to promote the rule of law.
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According to Makinde, “We have gone through a situation where a king was removed by the judiciary in the state after he has been on the throne for over 22 years.
“And I said to myself, not under my watch are we going to repeat the same mistake. I will rather delay and have due process followed.
“Then, if anybody decides to go to court after the emergence of the new traditional rulers, such exercise might be a nullity.
“I believe this is what we need in Nigeria right now – strong institutions.
“But, we also need people to build them, people with experience, capacity and people with strong conviction to do what is right”.
