A fresh process in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo has commenced, The PUNCH exclusively learnt on Wednesday.
There has been a crisis over the selection of the new paramount ruler after the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi on April 22, 2022.
The PUNCH reports that there has been a legal battle over the selection of the new monarch among the kingmakers of the ancient town.
Kingmakers in Oyo town, otherwise known as the Oyomesi in Council, had in a suit marked HOY/38/2023 before the Oyo State High Court, ought to restrain Governor Seyi Makinde from rejecting Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin, whom they said they unanimously selected at a September 30, 2023 meeting.
The suit has led to a stand-off between the kingmakers and the governor.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the state government had ordered a fresh selection process to ensure that the right person emerged as the new monarch.
Unconfirmed reports also added that the government wanted to announce the next Alaafin, shortly after some Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) visited Governor Seyi Makinde a few days ago.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademola Ojo, “The governor is not around. He has travelled and nobody can announce the new Alaafin. The fresh selection process will begin soon.”
An informed government source, who did not want her name in print, said, “Fresh selection process will begin soon. What the governor is trying to do is to ensure a right person emerges.”
Another impeccable source said, “We are doing everything possible to ensure that there is no crisis about the selection of the next Alaafin. I want to tell you that the government will announce the next Alaafin very soon. But it will take a due process.”
When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, simply said, “I’m not aware of it.”
