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The division among members of Oyomesi (kingmakers) and insistence by some lines in the Agunloye family to participate in the selection process has stalled the emergence of a new Alaafin of Oyo.
The unresolved differences made Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, to insist that due process must be followed in the election process, The Nation reports.
The Oyomesi comprise the Basorun of Oyo, who is the head and prime minister; Asipa of Oyo; Agbaakin of Oyo; Alapinni of Oyo; Lagunna of Oyo; Iba Samu of Oyo and Akinniku of Oyo.
According to the medium, some members of Oyomesi were allegedly sidelined in the selection process in order to favour some candidates.
Besides, princes from 11 lines in Agunloye ruling house, which were excluded by the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, are bent on participating in the process as a way of correcting it permanently.
The Agunloye ruling house is to produce the next Alaafin after Alowolodu, which produced the last Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
When a list of three princes was submitted to the governor, it was learnt that Makinde reliably gathered that some members of the Oyomesi were sidelined in the selection process. Several aggrieved candidates were also said to have petitioned the governor, alleging exclusion in the selection process. The combination of the two issues made the governor to return the list to Oyomesi for reconsideration in line with laid down rules.
Two members of the Oyomesi have passed away. While the Asipa, Chief Amuda Olorunosebi, died in 1991 during Oba Adeyemi’s reign, the Alapinni, Alhaji Sheu, died after Oba Adeyemi’s demise.
The Nation quoted sources to have said that the Oyomesi replaced them with temporary occupants described as warrant chiefs for the purpose of participating in the decision to select a new Alaafin.
As it stands now, the insistence of the governor on due process, means that all Oyomesi members must participate, including voting where it becomes necessary, in the selection process.
But it is unclear if Makinde will allow the use of the existing declaration, which excludes some lines in the two royal families or allow a review to accommodate the excluded lines before a new Alaafin is selected.
The last Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022 after a 52-year reign.