Oyo princes launch court fight to preserve Alaafin’s supremacy

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has been summoned to appear in person or through legal representation in a suit instituted against him by some princes of Oyo at the Oyo State High Court sitting in Oyo town.

The claimants, Ladigbolu Adegboyega, Owoade Tesleem, Adeyemi Adesina and Adeyemi Adebayo, filed the suit marked HOY/18/2026, seeking several declaratory and injunctive reliefs against the monarch.

In the suit, the princes are asking the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Alaafin, “either by himself, his servants, privies or any other person or persons whosoever,” from appearing at, attending, or continuing to attend occasions and functions which they claim are not befitting the status of a symbolic traditional head of the Yoruba race.

They also seek an order restraining the defendant from acting in any traditional or official capacity that would make him “subservient or inferior to any Oba in Yorubaland.”

The claimants further asked the court to declare that the office of the Alaafin of Oyo, currently occupied by the defendant, is of immense historical importance not only in Yorubaland but also in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

They are also seeking a declaration that “the Alaafin of Oyo is the symbol of unity, togetherness and the pivotal custodian of the cultural, customary and traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.”

In addition, the suit requests a declaration that the Alaafin of Oyo is the paramount ruler and appointing authority over all chieftaincies in Oyo town, as well as Oyo North and Oyo South.

According to the writ of summons, the defendant is required to enter an appearance either personally or through a legal practitioner by filing the appropriate forms at the registry of the High Court of the relevant judicial division or by forwarding the documents to the registry by registered post.

According to the suit, the appellants asked the court to prevent Alaafin from acting under the authority of any other Oba or participating in council matters in a manner that could undermine his status.

The claimants argue that the Alaafin, as the paramount traditional ruler, should not appear subservient to any other traditional leader, noting that the office holds historical, cultural, and symbolic significance not just in Oyo but across Yorubaland, Nigeria, and West Africa.

The Princes are asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining the Alaafin from attending functions or engaging in official duties that may compromise his dignity or the stature of the Alaafinate.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Attempts to reach the palace spokesman, Bode Durojaiye, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.

The legal action against the Alaafin is rooted in a longstanding dispute over hierarchy and authority within the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, a body established to advise the state government on traditional matters.

Tensions escalated in recent years following the reconstitution and grading of traditional rulers by successive Oyo State governments, particularly the elevation of some monarchs and the creation of parallel traditional structures. Central to the controversy is the recognition of Alaafin, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso as co-chairmen of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The Alaafin, who was expected at the inauguration of the council by Governor Seyi Makinde on January 16, 2026, was,  however, conspicuously absent.

Oba Owoade has also been at odds with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over supremacy claims.(Punch)