By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Alaafin of Oyo’s Palace has denied claims credited to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that he consulted the Alaafin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso on the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

In a statement issued late Thursday, January 15, 2026, and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, the Palace said there was no time His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, met with the governor or any of the traditional rulers mentioned on the matter.

“The Palace hereby wants to state clearly that there was no time that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, held any meeting with either the State Governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned above,” the statement said.

It further dismissed suggestions that the Alaafin endorsed any rotational arrangement for the chairmanship of the council, stressing that no such position was communicated to the governor.

“The Alaafin did not tell the Governor or make any categorical statement endorsing rotational chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the State,” the statement added.

The Palace also clarified that its position on the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs has already been formally communicated to the state government through established channels.

“The position of the Alaafin and the entire Oyo community on the issue has been clearly enunciated in a memorandum delivered to His Excellency by the Oyo Council of Elders,” the statement noted.

The Palace reaffirmed that matters concerning the traditional institution should be handled with accuracy and respect for due process, noting that any contrary impression does not reflect the Alaafin’s position.