May the gentle soul of our late father, Iku Baba yeye Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo rest in peace, Allah Subuhana Wataala grant him Alijana Firdaous, (amin). My attention was conspicuously drawn to the press release of 23rd August 2022 with the caption: “Selection of new Alaafin – Oyo government is not sincere” by Prince Afolabi Adesina
In his sordid submission, he posited that Oyo State government was not sincere as a result of a letter by Atiba Local Government to the Baba Iyaji of Oyo conveying approval of the State Government to him, the first step to commence administrative process for the filling of the vacant stool of the highly esteemed monarch.
The Local Government owes her domain some crucial duties as clearly spelt in the fifth schedule, government gazettes and so on.
Sequel to the befitting final burial of the late monarch by the State Government on June 6th 2022, as an active 3rd tier of Government positively inclined to serve the entire populace, the present generation will not forgive the Atiba Local Government if she shirks in her constitutional responsibility to embark on the this noble assignment while the future generation would see it as a ruse.
Obviously, irrespective of sheer malice or biased inclination, succession to the coveted stool of the Alaafin is guided by chieftaincy declaration based on tradition as can be seen in the 1961 edition signed by the then chairman of the council, late Oba Bello Gbadegesin, a certified true copy released by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters is quoted thus:
“The order of rotation in which the respective ruling house are entitled to provide candidates to fill the vacant successive vacancies in the chieftaincy shall be ;
1 Alowolodu.
2 Agunloye.
Where is the incumbent State Government not being sincere?
The letter quoted by Prince Afolabi Adesina is merely a modus operandi of concise due process for the party involved in the making of a new monarch i.e the Baba Iyaji and the Oyo Mesi before it gets to the prescribed authority.
The making of any monarch or chief irrespective of class in Oyo State in particular and Yoruba race in general is solely based on chieftaincy declaration, any arrangement outside this are bells and whistles, a bogus which is defective and can be declared null and void. Once approval had been sought and given, it behoves on the Local Government to officially inform the next royal family to convey a family meeting for the selection of a crown prince, not the State Government.
The selection process of the new Alaafin is following all the due process in a transparent manner according to the established norms and order.
The aura being felt within the ambit of the State Government under Engr. Seyi Makinde is absolutely commendable unlike the period of the political shenanigans. The State Government is sincere.
Thank you.
Hon. Mojisola Kafilat Olakojo
Executive Chairman Atiba Local Government
