Nine royal families, who are descendants of Alaafin Abiodun Atiba, have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to implement the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration regarding the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo.
The stool of Alaafin became vacant following the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, who was the 45th Alaafin.
The position of Alaafin has been rotated between only two royal families – Agunloye and Alowolodu – leaving the remaining nine royal families excluded.
It was gathered that Atiba was the first Alaafin of Oyo who reigned in the present Oyo town.
The nine royal families, which include Adeitan, Tella Okitipapa, Olanite, Adelabu, Adediran, Tella Agbojulogun, Adesokan Baba Idode, Adesiyan, and Abidekun households, noted that implementation of the declaration would give them the opportunity participate in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo.
The nine royal families made the request on Wednesday during a visit to the Alago Oja to seek his support in the implementation of the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration.
The visit was attended by Sina Afolabi from the Adeitan family, Remi Azeez from the Tella Okitipapa family, Lamola Olanite from the Olanite family, Agboin Adelabu from the Adelabu family, Raji Adediran from Adediran family and Nureni Taiwo from Tella Agbojulogun family.
Muftau Adejare Adesokan from the Adesokan Baba Idode family, Adesiyan from the Adesiyan family, Bello Rasheed from Abidekun family, Tijani Olawoyin and Agbolagade Adejumo were also part of the meeting.
The families said the purpose of the visit was to tell the state government and other stakeholders to implement the report of the 1976 Ladehinde Commission of Enquiry.
They maintained that the move would pave the way for the nine royal families and two others to participate in the selection of the new Alaafin.
Sina Afolabi from the Adeitan family, who spoke with journalists yesterday, noted that Atiba children have expressed their disagreement with the defective 1961 Declaration, which was allegedly used to select the previous Alaafin.
He said: “The nine sidelined Atiba royal families visited Alago Oja to seek the support of the Oloja in implementing the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration, regarding the Alaafin of Oyo.”
The Atiba children have expressed their disagreement with the 1961 Declaration, which was allegedly used to select the new Alaafin.”
The Guardian
