Alaafin Stool: 10 Candidates Emerge From 65 Applicants

Ten candidates out of the sixty-five princes that applied to be the next Alaafin of Oyo have been shortlisted by the kingmakers in the Oyo Traditional Council, known as ‘Oyo Mesi’.

The stool of Alaafin became vacant following the death of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on the 22nd of April, 2022.

The kingmakers shortlisted the ten candidates after interviewing the sixty-five applicants on Thursday.

The Acting Regent and the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Akinade Ayoola Layinka 1, who is the head of Oyomesi, disclosed that only the ten applicants have qualifications that every occupier of the throne of Alaafin must have.

The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, speaking on the development said the kingmakers would meet soon to deliberate on the next step, which is the Ifa consultation.

Ayoola said, “Whoever emerges among the shortlisted aspirants will be a candidate and the next Alaafin of Oyo.”

The Acting Regent spoke on the claim that the kingmakers collected two hundred thousand Naira from the applicants during the interview.

Ayoola also addressed the report that a ranking member of the kingmakers, Alapinni did not attend the interview.

He noted that Alapinni was represented throughout the interview period.

Ayoola said: “The state government is not only aware was but carried along in all our proceedings before, during and after the interview period.

“The state government is ably represented by the Chairperson of the Atiba Local Government and some officials of the Council.”

Speaking on Alapinni’s absence, Ayoola said he was absent from the interview process because he is currently indisposed.

He added, “People should watch their utterances and refrain from reckless comments capable of causing an implosion. People entrusted with the peace and tranquillity of the town should not just rush to the press for mischief-making.

“It is better for one to find out about what he or she doesn’t know from the authentic source, than going to the press to cause disaffection.”