Race to select new Alaafin begins
Following the advice of Governor Seyi Makinde to the Oyo Messi, the Kingmakers, to expedite action on the succession arrangement of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed on Friday, the race to succeed the late monarch began yesterday.
Prince Mukaila Afonja, the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, who is also the head of princes in the town, disclosed to newsmen he was sure that the succession moves would have started discreetly among the interested parties.
He said the interested princes from the next ruling house would submit their applications, just as he disclosed that nobody has brought any letter to him yet.
Iyaji added that he believed applicants interested in succeeding the late monarch would start bringing their letters after the eight days fidau prayers.
He said, “The moves to succeed Oba Adeyemi would have begun as we are talking now but nobody has submitted an application to me.
“I am the head of the Omooba (princes) and as we are talking there would have been moves but nobody has submitted any application to me.
“The process is this, all the princes from the next ruling house, who are interested in becoming the Alaafin will submit their applications to me.
“After screening them, I will now invite the Oyo Mesi and for example, if the applicants remain about like two or a wieldy number, Ifa Oracle would be consulted to know who among them should be chosen.”
He said individual wealth or status alone would not be used as a criterion to choose the next Alaafin because there would be negative consequences if the right person was not chosen.
He assured the people of the town that they would be guided by fear of God and their love for Oyo town in selecting the best to ascend the throne.