Oyo: Kingmakers make u-turn, set to present 65 aspirants for Alaafin throne

The Oyo traditional council, also referred to as Oyomesi, has revealed that all the 65 princes aspiring for the position of Alaafin of Oyo would be presented to Ifa (deity) for consultation.

It was gathered that the decision to present the 65 candidates to Ifa (deity) for consultation, was against the earlier announcement of 10 candidates for the position.

It was gathered that the Oyomesi had earlier did interviews for 65 candidates.

They later revealed that it had announced 10 of them.

The Oyomesi has now deviated from the earlier decision, affirming that all the 65 candidates would face the deity (oracle) for consultation.

Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, said that the Oyomesi has agreed to make all the 65 aspirants face the deity for consultation.

High Chief Yussuf Ayoola Layinka, the Bashorun of Oyo, while reacting to the issue, said that the decision became important after a minor disagreement ensued among the council members.

He affirmed that whoever became victorious among the 65 candidates would be the next Alaafin of Oyo.

“Following minor disagreement among some members of the Oyo Traditional Council (the Oyo Mesi), over shortlisting of some aspirants, who qualified for the interview, there will no longer be shortlisted contestants.

“All contestants who appeared for the interview are qualified for the next level, which is Ifa consultation, after the meeting of members of the Oyo Mesi.

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

The Informant247 observes that the seat of the Alaafin of Oyo stool became vacant as a result of the passing of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.

The first class traditional monarch reign for 52 years.

He gave up the ghost at the age of 83.