A committee purportedly assembled by some individuals for the forthcoming coronation of the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has been disbanded.
In dismantling the ‘committee’, Oba Owoade maintained that the committee did not obtain his approval.
Oba Owoade, in a statement on Wednesday, also said further meetings or activities by the committee regarding the coronation would be considered illegal, warning that it would also not be tolerated.
He maintained that any committee or event related to his forthcoming coronation must receive prior approval from the Oyo palace.
In the statement, titled “Coronation Committee Setup in Oyo Town-Notice of Cease & Desist”, the monarch stated, “Let it be known to all and sundry that any committee or activity being set up or promoted without the prior consent and approval of His Imperial Majesty and his office shall be deemed unauthorised and will not be allowed to exist.”
Further dissociating the monarch from the supposed committee, the general public and organisers of the unauthorised coronation committee are notified that no approval or consent was given by the Alaafin. “Therefore, further meetings on this subject must stop immediately.”
The royal father also declared that any fundraising towards the coronation would be at the discretion of the royal family, which the statement said would determine the composition of any official committee, if the need arose.
He appreciated the efforts of the organisers, saying, “they will be informed as events unfold should there be any need for their contributions.”
Oba Owoade, however, mandated that all initiatives or activities regarding the coronation must be cleared by his office before being made public.