The process to appoint a new Alaafin of Oyo has hit another obstacle, following a renewed call for inclusion by nine royal families.
They argue that they too are entitled to the stool, which became vacant due to the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi III. The monarch ruled for 52 years and passed away at the age of 83.
Despite the shortlisting of 119 aspirants, only 57 of them were interviewed, and there have been ongoing court challenges to the selection process.
Recently, the nine royal families spoke to the press, urging the state governor, Seyi Makinde, not to approve the appointment of a new monarch until the court case is resolved. They argued that it would be unfair to appoint a new Alaafin while the court case is still pending.
The families are Adeitan, Olanite, Tella Agbojulogun, Tella Okitipapa, Adediran Ese Apata, Adesokan Baba Idode, Adesiyan, Abidekun, and Adelabu Baba Ibadan. They claim that they have been marginalised for too long and that it is time to end the years of discrimination in the selection process of the Alaafin of Oyo.
The head of princes in Oyo, Baba Iyaji, submitted all the applications.to the Bashorun of Oyo, after a letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy in conjunction with Atiba Local Government directed the Baba Iyaji to attend to only Agunloye ruling house.
However, it appears that the process has encountered a significant challenge as the nine royal families in the town have claimed that they have been sidelined, and there is a pending court case challenging the selection process.
