Eight days after the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, joined his ancestors, Oyo State Government has assured that a new Alaafin would emerge soon, urging the Oyo people to be patient.
Governor Seyi Makinde gave the assurance at the eighth-day fidau/interdenominational prayer held in honour of the late monarch at the palace arcade in Oyo.
The deceased Alaafin passed on on April 22 at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
Vanguard reports that Makinde, who was represented by Chief Bayo Lawal, the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, said he was aware that Oyo people were anxious to have a new king.
“People are eager to see the next king, but we have to follow due process.
“We promise not to compromise and another Alaafin will come in due time,” the governor said.
Earlier, in their separate sermons, Imam Masud Ajokidero and Rev. Eyitayo Sulola, urged the people to always embrace orderliness as observed by the late Alaafin when he was alive.
They called on the kingmakers “Oyo Mesi” to follow the path of peace and not moneybags in the selection process of the new king.
How new Alaafin will emerge
As reported by TheCable, since the demise of the former Alaafin, there have been torrents of speculations about the emergence of his successor and the criteria for the selection.
Adeyemi had succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu in 1970, and after 52 years on the throne, civilisation has greatly influenced the tradition and culture of the ancient town.
There has also been a change in the number of Oyomesis — the prominent palace chiefs who are known as the kingmakers.
But despite these changes, the existing chieftaincy declaration still serves as a guide for the selection of Oyo kings.
The declaration states that there are two royal houses in Oyo — Alowolodu and Agunloye. The two families are to take turns in ascending the throne.
The late Alaafin was from the Alowolodu royal family, so it is now the turn of the Agunloye family.
Agunloye family is also known as ‘Ladigbolu’ or ‘Gbadegesin’ in some quarters.
After the demise of Oba Adeyemi, a debate began on which family will present the next king between Ladigbolu and Gbadegesin.
Clarifying the confusion over the names, a retired archbishop of the Methodist Church and prominent elder of the Ladigbolu family, Most Revd Ayo Ladigbolu, said that both are one family under the Agunloye royal house.
He said: “The late Alaafin Gbadegesin was the son of Alaafin Ladigbolu. The full title was Oba Belo Gbadegesin Ladigbolu The Second.
“The father was the first and the next one from the family will be the third.”
On nomination of the successor, based on the chieftaincy declaration, the ruling house that is to produce the next king, in this case, the Agunloye house, will nominate candidates at a meeting which will be summoned by the head of the family.
The candidate or candidates will then be presented to Baba Iyaji, a titled prince of Oyo, who will subsequently submit the names to the Basorun, head of the Oyomesis.
The Basorun will then summon a meeting of the kingmakers and present the list to them.
Explaining further, Ladigbolu said the candidate acceptable to the majority of the kingmakers will be thereafter proclaimed the next Alaafin.
Ladigbolu told TheCable that apart from the government declaration which guides the selection of Alaafin of Oyo, the Oyomesi (kingmakers) will have the final say.
Although seven kingmakers were once recognised, the number has dwindled with the nullification of one of them.
“There are seven kingmakers according to the declaration. They are Basorun, Asipa, Agabaakin, Alapinni, Lagunna, Shamu and Akiniku,” Ladigbolu said.
“But Asipa is no longer existing so there are only six kingmakers remaining.”
According to Ladigbolu, women are exempted from being considered for the throne of Alaafin of Oyo.
“The chieftaincy of Oyo has an official declaration. It was made under section four, sub-section two of the chiefs law cap 19 of the customary law regulating selection of the Alaafin of Oyo chieftaincy.
“The person who may be proposed as a candidate shall be through the male line only.”
There is no specific time frame for the selection of the next king of Oyo because it all depends on those who run the process, says Ladigbolu.
Although the family will be given 14 days to hold a meeting and submit a list to Baba Iyaji, if the list contains more than one name, the process will take a longer time.
“The kingmakers may have to interview the individuals presented before taking a decision. The selection of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi took a bit longer time because of the political atmosphere then,” he said.
“There was a lot of tension and litigations so it was not a smooth process.
“We pray that this time, there will not be a delay just like Seyi Makinde, the state governor, appealed to the kingmakers to be quick about the process.”
Does the Agunloye (Ladigbolu/Gbadegesin) family already have preferred candidates for the kingmakers? Ladigbolu said it is too early to start considerations.
He said it will be irresponsible to begin the process when the town is still mourning the passage of Alaafin Adeyemi.
“I am from the Agunloye ruling family but it is too early to meet. This is a mourning period because we just lost a king. I have been busy since Alaafin died and it will continue till after the eighth day,” said the retired cleric.
In selecting the next Alaafin, the law does not specify age, educational background, knowledge of the tradition and culture of Oyo or personal wealth as criteria.
All males of the Agunloye are qualified to come forward and signify their intention to become the next Alaafin.
According to Ladigbolu, the present palace was not the property of the late king. He said it is the traditional seat of the Oyo royal throne and all kings reign from there, except when it is under renovation or reconstruction.
“Alaafin means the owner of the palace. Oranyan was the first owner. The palace is where the king resides,” he said.
TheCable / Vanguard
