The ruling house, whose turn it is to produce the next Alaafin of Oyo, the Agunloye Ruling House, comprising twenty eight royal families, has said it was ready with twenty princes to fill the vacant stool.
The stool became vacant after the death of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, from the the Alowolodu Ruling House, on April 22, 2022.
The Head of the Isale Oja Agunloye, Abdukareem Ishaq, in the PUNCH’s report said that today Friday was the last day for princes in the ruling house to submit their applications to signify interest in the vacant stool.
He said there is no better time than now for the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) to kick start the selection process for the exalted traditional position.
He advised the kingmakers to pick a candidate from the list of twenty princes already submitted to the Agunloye Ruling House for next Alaafin of Oyo.
He said: “Twenty princes from the 28 families have applied and shown interest in the stool and the deadline set for the submission of applications end on Friday (today).
“Agunloye gave birth to 29 children and the family of just one of the children, Lawani Agogo Ija, had produced Alaafin three times. It is now the turn of one of the 28 families of Agunloye to produce the next Alaafin.
“Twenty princes have shown interest to occupy the throne. What we are now asking from the kingmakers is to be fair so that the remaining 28 royal families would not be pushed out from those who have the right to occupy the throne.
“It is our turn to produce the next Alaafin and we are calling on the Oyo Mesi to be fair in this case. Those on the other side have been saying it is their turn again and we find this disturbing.
“Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was the first son of Alaafin Abiodun Atiba, who established the present Oyo. Agunloye gave birth to 29 children and Alaafin Ajuwo Lawani Agogo Ija family has been the only family producing Alaafin since then and neglecting the other 28.
“The remaining 28 families are: Tela Baba Ilaka; Akee Amulegboja; Agboyin Alayo Ayo; Ajuwon Loja; Tela Irinborogidi; Olanniba Baba Mosalasi; Akee Abanikanda; Afonja (Aburo Abanikanda) and Tela Arowona.
“Others are Afonja Arowona Ile Ilugbenka; Agboyin Arowona; Ajuwo Sanni; Ajuwon Aliyi; Tela Arowojemosa; Tela Ibrahim; Adeoye Ileolokuta and Tela Aseseruogun.
“They also include Tela Adeoti Olusami Lajire; Oyelegnin Ilaka; Tela Isheke; Tela Olookun (Aremoye Agunloye); Tela Lagbaja (Ile Tetu); Adetunji Ile Awonwon; Akadiri Baba Omo Adegboolu; Adeniran Baba Salami Ilaka; Akee Akadiri (Abidekun Agunloye); Tela Iyalamu and Ajuwon Adeniregun.
“Our children have applied to me and they are 20 in number. They are from these 28 families whose turn it is to produce the next Alaafin. I think some may still show their interest but tomorrow (Friday) is the closing date we fixed for submission of application.”
He said the families had princes who have excelled in various fields and who have deep knowledge of tradition and culture and the carriage to succeed Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
“Although we are making an appeal now but we are ready to take the case to court if we are sidelined this time round. The three Alaafin produced by the Agunloye Ruling House were from one family. So, they should pick the next Alaafin from one of us.
“Our aim is to further develop Oyo town, we want companies to be established here and to make life better for everyone. The state government should also ensure that justice and fairness prevail.”
