The kingmakers in the ancient Oyo town have said they have done their job of picking the next Alaafin, saying the buck is now on the table of Governor Seyi Makinde to announce the next occupant of the revered stool.
Two of the kingmakers, who spoke exclusively with Journalists on condition of anonymity, said they had since selected the new Oba through the normal and laid down procedure but they were still waiting for the government to pronounce the name of the chosen one.
The ancient Oyo Alaafin stool became vacant following the passage of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi April last year.
The PUNCH had reported that the kingmakers forwarded the name of the allegedly selected new Alaafin to the state government through the local government since September 2022.
But Makinde, while responding, said, “I will rather delay and have due process followed and then we know that if anybody decides to go to court after that, the exercise will be a nullity. I believe this is what we need in Nigeria right now, strong institutions but we also need people to build strong institution.”
One of the kingmakers, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that, “We have done our parts since last year. The representatives of the government were there during this process. All the contestants (princes) into the exalted stool were also asked to present two sureties to witness, sign and reach a compromise that they would all abide, agree and support whoever among them was chosen for the throne of Alaafin.
“One year has gone now, we are yet to have a new Oba. So, tell me, how will this town witness tremendous development in an atmosphere of rancour or no Oba? We are all one. The princes are all one. I don’t think there should be any problem anymore after due process was followed to the letter. We are still waiting for our amiable governor, Makinde, to do the needful.”
Another kingmaker said, “Whether the chosen and by His grace, our next Alaafin is wealthy or not, we have painstakingly done the necessary things. The government should just announce him and close that chapter because we cannot continue without having a traditional ruler.”
It will be recalled that the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, transited to the great beyond at the age of 83. He ruled for 52 years.
Source: GREAT TRIBUNE
