Following the protracted controversy surrounding the selection of a new Alaafin of Oyo, another royal family, the Ladigbolu family, on Thursday, insisted on the need for the kingmakers (Oyomesi) to go back to the drawing board in the selection of a new paramount ruler for the ancient town.
This was made known in a statement signed by Akinade Ladigbolu on behalf of the royal family and made available to PUNCH Online in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Recall that there has been a lingering crisis over the selection of a new Alaafin of Oyo after the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022.
The late paramount ruler reigned for 52 years and passed away at Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, at a well advanced age of 83 after a brief illness
Also recall that the Agunloye royal family under the aegis of Agunloye Youths Association, had earlier demanded for a fresh selection process with full compliance with the ancestral ‘ifa divination’ (oracle) process in the emergence of a new Alaafin.
Lamenting the continuous insistence by some vested interests on going ahead with what was described as illegality and an attempt to frustrate the smooth process embedded in a deeply rooted tradition and also to hoodwink the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to support what was tagged as mere shenanigans, Prince Siyanbola Tella, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of the Agunloye family insisted that the Oyomesi, headed by the Bashorun, knows what is right to be done for the emergence of a new Alaafin without further delays.
Meanwhile, the kingmakers, also known as the Oyomesi, had in a suit marked HOY/38/2023 before the Oyo State High Court, had sought to restrain Governor Seyi Makinde from rejecting Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin, whom they said they unanimously selected in a September 30, 2023 meeting.
This suit led to the crisis between kingmakers and Governor Makinde.
In July, the State Government, through the then Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Segun Olayiwola, announced a fresh process in the selection of a new Alaafin.
Ladigbolu, in a statement on Thursday, said, “We are also using this opportunity to warn those promoting lies against Governor Makinde and accusing him of employing delay tactics to subvert the will of the kingmakers to desists and join the path of truth and stop anti-people’s move.”
The royal family insisted that any other process apart from Ifa divination would not be acceptable.
“Because right from the beginning, all the Princes were told that Ifa consultation would be employed to select the new king and we all agreed.
“The position of Alaafin of Oyo is an important seat in Yorubaland. So, Yoruba all over the world should rise and join in the battle against imposition, against Yoruba tradition which is a taboo.
“It is important we do it right now because any wrong step taken in the selection process will have a negative effect in the future and posterity will not forgive anybody that cut corners against the will of the people and God for Oyo town.”
Ladigbolu insisted that, as of today, none of the aspirants jostling for the position of Alaafin has been submitted by the Oyomesi as the crowned Prince to the government.