After Alaafin Adeyemi III; Who Does The Crown Fit?

Niyi Olasinde 

Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi II, joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022. Since then, the Oyomesis (kingmakers) and the Oyo State Government have become cynosure of all eyes to release the name and identity of the royal designate who will mount the keenly contested stool.

This great expectation, though not peculiar to Oyo town and residents, as most Yoruba people are anxiously waiting, the Oyo subjects are the most affected, as the final decision of the Oyomesis will go a long way in setting the pace and course of development for the ancient town and its vast empire for years and decades to come.

Part of the integral questions raised by the expected nomination and appointment are: ‘What does the future hold?’; ‘Could there be anyone to fit in so accurately into the vacuum left by late Alaafin’s demise?’; ‘How could the right choice be made to forestall discontent and bickering among the royal houses and quarters, such that peace and tranquility could be maintained?’ These are few questions out of the entire lot.  

When the contest first began, no fewer than 198 contenders jostled for the highly esteemed, coveted and famous stool in Yorubaland and in the Diaspora. As time wore on, the number got pruned down, initially to 65 and, much later 10 by the Oyomesis following rigorous rounds of interview.

The costliest puzzle in town today appears not to be whether there will be a next crown head or not; but that who shall it be and how soon would the Alaafin designate emerge, even among the ten remaining contenders? The cues tied to the puzzle are worth more than millions of dollars, and they beg for resolute answers begging for answers.

The Oyomesi is headed by the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yussuf Ayoola.

As confirmed from Vanguard sources called the head of all princes in Oyo, Chief Afonja when asked on the way forward, simply replied that the matter had now reached a decision stage between the kingmakers and the Oyo State Government.

Afonja was reported to have further said: “Yes, what I know now is that the decision is left for the Oyomesi and the State Government.”

A strong contender to the stool, who was said to prefer anonymity, reportedly said that he’s not comfortable with the lingering unbearable silence over the matter.

As a testimony to the fact that continuous deferred choice of who sits on the Alaafin stool is not in the best interest of the town and of the kingdom, credible and authoritative sources available to OSUN DEFENDER revealed the exclusive information that the unbecoming delay would necessitate the postponement of this year’s Oranyan Festival, slated for first and second weeks of September. This development, the sources said, does not augur well; and the fact that the Alaafin stool still remains vacant almost two years after the death of Oba Adeyemi puts the selection process in dire need of probe and review.

Aside Oranyan festival, many other issues are left unsettled owing to the fact that the Alaafin stool is vacant Our sources further revealed: “If I’m asked to say anything about the Alaafin stool, I will say silence from the two parties that are saddled with the responsibility of taking decision is becoming too cold for comfort.

“As far as I know, there is no case in court yet which forbids final decision from being taken. Why the delay is taking this long, I can’t say.”

According to reports attributed to an official of the Oyo State Government, who is not authorized to speak on the issue, the Governor was being careful because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The source revealed further that “The Governor will not rush into taking decisions just like that. He is a meticulous man who wants perfection in his decision. As you know, the stool of Alaafin is an important one in the country especially in the South West zone. So, you don’t expect the governor to give a hasty approval.”

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Suleiman Olanrewaju, was also reported as not willing to rush into making comments on the issue; saying needed to make consultations before saying anything. Olanrewaju was reported to have retorted: “I will have to gather information before I can say anything.”

OSUN DEFENDER wishes the Oyo Kingdom the very best of choices as frantic and genuine quests are being made to put the next first-class monarch on the ancient throne of Oyo.