The Alaafin of Oyo’s Palace has denied claims that Oba Abimbola Owoade held consultations with Governor Seyi Makinde on the rotational chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs or issued any statement endorsing such an arrangement.

In a statement released his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Bode Durojaiye on Thursday, the Palace said its attention had been drawn to comments credited to Governor Makinde, in which he reportedly claimed to have consulted three traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso, on the matter.

“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the state on the rotational chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs,” the statement said.

The Palace categorically dismissed the claim, stressing that no such meeting took place.

“There was no time that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, held any meeting with either the State Governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned on this issue,” it stated.

The statement further clarified that the Alaafin did not express support for a rotational arrangement.

“The Alaafin did not tell the Governor nor make any categorical statement endorsing rotational chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the state,” the Palace said.

According to the Palace, the position of the Alaafin and the Oyo community on the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had already been formally communicated to the governor.

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