September 25, (THEWILL) – The crisis rocking Alaafin of Oyo stool seems not to be coming to an end anytime soon because the kingmakers who are responsible for choosing the next paramount ruler of Oyo kingdom have been singing discordant tunes.
The stool became vacant after the death of the longest reigning monarch, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III who died in April 2022 after a brief illness. After mourning the monarch, 65 contestants were shortlisted by the kingmakers and an interview process to determine the best candidate for the stool commenced.
However, the process was marred with controversies as the kingmakers became divided. High Chief Yussuf Ayoola, the head of Oyomesi who are the kingmakers revealed that ten candidates were shortlisted among the 65 contestants. And Ifa would be consulted to pick the best candidates among the ten. But some members of the Oyomesi have disagreed over the plan.
High Chief Lamidi Olayanju, one of the kingmakers and three other chiefs distanced themselves from the list. He accused Basorun of influencing the decision to unveil shortlisted contestants. He stated that after interviewing all contestants, the kingmakers were to meet again to make the final decision before any name can be shortlisted.
Basorun ignored the kingmaker’s decision and proclaimed that ten candidates had been shortlisted. Olayanju added that his decision could result in a court case, so he and three other kingmakers washed their hands off the list.
Chief Ayoola, the head of kingmakers had to step in and revealed that the kingmakers would revert to the initial 65 contestants and choose a suitable candidate among them. He revealed that Ifa had been consulted and it is the decision of the oracle to select among the 65 contestants.Despite the decision of the kingmakers, a traditionalist, Adetoyese Olakisan, who is from Oyo State has accused the kingmakers of trying to manipulate the selection process. He alleged that the kingmakers were trying to ignore the role of Ifa in the selection process. According to him, such a move could have a negative effect on Yorubaland. He further accused the kingmaker of trying to politicize and monetize the Alaafin stool.
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