I was sleeping in Canada when destiny called,’ says Alaafin Owoade

Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, has shared the remarkable and humbling journey that led to his emergence as the monarch of the historic Yoruba kingdom. In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the engineer-turned-king revealed that he never actively sought the throne and had no prior connections with those in power.

"I swear to Almighty God, I didn't know the governor. I never met him before. It was based on Ifa divination that I became the Alaafin of Oyo," Oba Owoade said. He received the news of his selection while in Canada, where he was surprised to learn of his new role.

Initially, Oba Owoade declined the invitation to contest for the stool, but after persuasion from family members, he changed his mind. "I said I was not interested. But, after some persuasion, I gave in. Thank God I am here as the Alaafin and I am in Oyo to stay," he said.

Oba Owoade expressed deep appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for respecting traditional processes and not allowing politics to influence the selection. "I will commend the governor because he respected our culture and tradition," he said.

The monarch also dismissed rumors of heavy spending during the selection process, noting that he only gave out normal gifts and not large sums of money. "It is not like giving millions – N5million, N10million or N20million. I'm telling you, I wasn't involved in that," he said.

Reflecting on his time in the traditional seclusion period known as Ipebi, Oba Owoade described it as a period of intense learning and cultural immersion. "I learnt a lot of lessons. It is a place of lifelong lessons. Traditional historians came around and they told me stories about Oyo and the politics of Oyo and Yorubaland in its entirety," he said.

The monarch paid tribute to past Alaafins, particularly Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi and Alaafin Ladigbolu I, whom he described as role models. He pledged to live up to the legacies of these rulers and deliver good governance to the people of Oyo.

Oba Owoade concluded by calling for unity across religious and traditional lines, saying he would embrace all faiths. "I embrace all religions. The Yoruba say Iwa l'esin. Your connection with your God matters more than the number of times you display religiosity," he said.