News
Lawmakers Face Pressure Over Contested Alaafin Selection
Oyo Assembly receives a petition demanding a probe into the Alaafin selection crisis and alleged political interference in the process
Rt Hon Debo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, on Monday received a forceful petition seeking an urgent legislative investigation into the Alaafin selection crisis and the appointment of Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.
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The petition was submitted by Otunba Dare Adelekan, Group Chief Executive of Probe Communications Group, on behalf of the Oyo Heritage Forum, a group describing itself as concerned citizens and cultural stakeholders.
The petition questioned the legitimacy of Oba Owoade’s emergence, alleging that the selection process ignored the traditional consensus of the Oyo Mesi, the recognised kingmakers under the 1961 Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration.
According to the petitioners, the Oyo Mesi had overwhelmingly voted for Prince Lukman Gbadegesin before the State Government intervened and approved a different candidate.
They argued that the intervention amounted to political manipulation of a sacred institution and warned that it set a dangerous precedent for state interference in traditional stools.
The petition also drew attention to an ongoing court case, Suit No. HOY/05/2025, filed by Prince Gbadegesin, which it said had left the throne legally vulnerable.
It raised concerns over the reported reliance on Ifa divination in the selection process, despite a 2022 High Court ruling that declared such consultation non-mandatory under the law.
The petitioners further questioned the use of emergency warrant chiefs, claiming they were deployed to legitimise a process already concluded by the substantive kingmakers.
Beyond the selection process, the petition accused Oba Owoade of insubordination following his decision to sue the Oyo State Government over the Oyo State Council of Obas (Further Amendments) Law 2025.
It described the action as unprecedented and politically charged, citing his perceived alignment with the opposition All Progressives Congress as evidence of partisanship.
The petition maintained that a monarch whose ascension involved government intervention could not credibly challenge the same government’s legislative authority.
As reliefs, the group urged the House of Assembly to convene a public hearing and invite surviving members of the Oyo Mesi to testify on whether due process was followed.
It also asked lawmakers to investigate alleged political influence in the submission of the monarch’s name and to enforce compliance with the 2025 law on rotational leadership within the Council of Obas.
“The throne of Oyo belongs to the people, not political bidders,” the petition stated, warning that continued legal battles could erode the authority of the Alaafin institution.
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The House of Assembly had not issued an official response at the time of filing this report.
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The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, died after the aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the NAF 931 aircraft crash occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated following the accident.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support as they come to terms with the loss.
The Air Force said no survivors had been found and released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers on board the aircraft.
The crew members were identified as Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer A. Abubakar, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal H.C. Uguru, Aircraft Technician.
The 20 passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye; Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer F. Onwuka; Master Warrant Officer B.A. Matini; Warrant Officer F.S. Nuhu; Flight Sergeant R.B. James; Flight Sergeant A.I. Mohammed; Sergeant A.E. Ani; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien; Sergeant C. Alafuka; Sergeant A.N. Mbadugha; Lance Corporal F.C. Ugwuba; Lance Corporal G.E. Eledan; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
The latest figure released by the Air Force differs from the initial information provided after the crash. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had initially said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently clarified that the manifest contained 25 people, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda, close to a naval base, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos. The wreckage was later located and rescue teams were deployed to the area.
The cause of the crash has not been established. The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
President Bola Tinubu had also directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died. He ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the victims.
The Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses. It also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
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