Following the delay in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo, some youths, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the Oyo High Court in Awe, protesting the delay in the selection of the new traditional ruler.
The Informant247 gathered that the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions, such as, “Oyo Mesi follow tradition, not money; Alaafin stool is not for sale; On Alaafin: Let dignity reign; Alaafin: Due process, Ife consultation are sacrosanct and a host of others.”
Meanwhile, the High Court sitting in Oyo, Oyo State, on Tuesday, adjourned till Thursday, October 2, for hearing a case instituted by five kingmakers against the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, the state Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, as well as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, over the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo.
It would be recalled that the Kingmakers in Oyo town, popularly known as Oyo Mesi, have dragged the governor and two others to Court to abort the process for the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo.
The claimants are Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, Laguna of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akiniku of Oyo, High Chief Amuda Yusuf; Areago Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Wahab Oyetunji and Alapo of Oyo and Warrant Officer for Alaapini of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, and they were all present in Court.
In September 16, 2022, Informant247 reported that ten aspirants were shortlisted for an interview out of 65 contestants who appeared for screening for the Alaafin stool.
The Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi) concluded sittings on interviews for aspirants on September 15, 2022.
The ten, it was gathered, would be presented before the Ifa oracle for consultation in the next phase of the process.
Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Mr Bode Durojaiye, confirmed the development to newsmen on September 16, 2022.
The Regent, the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Layinka, said out of the 65 aspirants, only ten were qualified for the interview stage.