The Alaafin of Oyo’s palace has defended the installation of the Baale of Ona-Aka community by the monarch’s wife, Ayaba Abiwumi Owoade, saying the process was lawful and in line with long-standing Oyo chieftaincy tradition.
The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaye, said the installation of Oyedokun Akinade as Baale was duly authorised by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and carried out according to established customs.
Durojaye made the clarification on Thursday during an interview in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid widespread debate that followed the ceremony held at the Alaafin’s palace on Wednesday.
He explained that the Alaafin lawfully delegated the responsibility to his wife, noting that such delegation is recognised under Oyo traditional practices.
“The chieftaincy tradition of Oyo town permits the Ayaba to preside over the installation of a Baale when so directed by the Kabiyesi, the Alaafin of Oyo,” Durojaye said.
He stressed that while the Alaafin retains exclusive authority to install kings (Obas), tradition allows the monarch to assign the installation of Baales to the Ayaba.
According to him, the practice is not unprecedented, recalling that a similar arrangement existed during the reign of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
The palace’s response follows criticisms from some quarters across Yoruba-speaking states, where observers questioned the propriety of a royal consort performing what they considered a core traditional function.
In a statement released by the palace, Ayaba Abiwumi Owoade charged the newly installed Baale to promote peace, unity and grassroots development in the Ona-Aka community.
She urged him to foster inclusivity, build trust-based networks and prevent divisions that could hinder progress.
“You are to serve as an arbitrator in household and community disputes, using dialogue and mediation to maintain harmony,” the Ayaba said.
She further described the Baale as the first line of defence in sustaining stability at the community level, advising him to identify early signs of conflict and employ local mechanisms, including traditional courts, to resolve disputes.
The Ayaba also emphasised the Baale’s role as a vital link between the Alaafin and the people, noting that community heads possess moral authority essential for social cohesion and local development.
The palace said its clarification was aimed at addressing the controversy and reaffirming the traditional framework guiding chieftaincy practices in Oyo.
