Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi who is the 45th Alaafin of Oyo in lieu of his track records has been described as no doubt an accomplished monarch among the Yoruba traditional rulers.
The late Oba Adeyemi, who had come from the Alowolodu royal family in Oyo had also ascended the throne of his forefathers in January 1971 at the age of 31 and he had also reigned for 52 years before he had joined his ancestors in April this year.
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It has also been reported that the Alaafin stool is currently vacant as a result of Oba Adeyemi.
Though the process of selection and appointment of the new monarch has started, it has been gathered that some controversies have continued to trail the selection process and some of the pending issues have been pimpointed which also includes the alleged marginalisation of some families in the selection process.
Others are some pending court cases which are yet to be resolved.
No fewer than 119 princes from the various royal houses have indicated interest to succeed the departed monarch, an announcement which had been made by the the Baba Iyaji (Head of Princes) of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja.
He said that various things, such as educational background, wealth, influence, knowledge of the Yoruba culture and ability to speak Yoruba language without any mixup would be considered while choosing the next Alaafin.
It has also been gathered that 61 of the princes have been disqualified, though the reason for the disqualification has not been revealed. 58 of the contestants have also been cleared.
The names of the 58 aspirants who were cleared have been submitted by the Baba Iyaji to the Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Ayoola Layinka.
The Bashorun whose position is likened to the present Prime Minister is the head of the Oyo traditional chiefs, known as Oyo Mesi.
The clearance of the princes from the Agunloye family and disqualification of others from other royal families, according to a source, was due to a letter from the Oyo State government, which instructed the Baba Iyaji to find the next monarch from the Agunloye royal family. It was gathered that the Oyo State government currently recognised two royal families: the Alowolodu and Agunloye. The position is to be rotated by the two royal families based on that arrangement.
But, the non recognition of other royal families apart from the two has been described as discriminatory by some families who said that they should also be allowed to participate. The disqualification of the 61 candidates who are said to be from other royal families made nine families from the Atiba lineage raise an alarm that they had been shortchanged.
But, despite the alarm raised by the nine families from the Atiba lineage, the kingmakers have commenced the selection process of the new Alaafin.
As part of the selection process, the kingmakers have invited the shortlisted candidates for interview.
