January 15th, 2025
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has been urged by a faction of the Oyomesi (kingmakers) to refrain from defamation and take whatever he has against them to court.
This served as a reaction to the statement made by the governor while giving the staff of office to the Alaafin that he would not allow the Alaafin stool to be politicised, adding that those who allegedly paid money to destabilise the traditional institution in the state would be prosecuted.
The kingmakers, in a letter addressed to the governor on their behalf by Kunle Sobaloju, their legal counsel, described Makinde’s claims as “unacceptable”.
“We recognize Your Excellency’s right to defend your actions in court, given the ongoing legal challenge to your recent decision,” the letter reads.
”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.”