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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Kingmakers in Oyo Traditional Council, known as Oyo Mesi, have made U-turn on the shortlisting of 10 out of the 65 applicants for the vacant throne of Alaafin of Oyo, saying all 65 applicants are qualified to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
Acting Regent and Basorun of Oyo, Yussuf Akinade Ayoola Layinka 1, who is the head of Oyo Mesi, made this known in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Mr. Bode Durojaiye, yesterday, saying the 65 applications have been okayed to proceed to the next stage, which is the Ifa oracle consultation.
The stool of Alaafin became vacant on April 22, 2022 when the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors.
The kingmakers had concluded interviews for all the 65 applicants last week Thursday and a statement issued on Friday on the outcome of the interviews revealed that 10 of the applicants had been shortlisted for the oracle to pick one as the next Alaafin. The statement said only 10 had the qualifications that every occupier of the throne of Alaafin must posses.
But yesterday, the kingmakers said there was a minor disagreement among some members of the Oyo Mesi over the applicants that were shortlisted and those that were disqualified, saying there would no longer be any list for shortlisted contestants.
The Acting Regent said all contestants, who appeared for interview, were qualified for the next level after a crucial meeting of members of the Oyo Mesi.
“Whoever emerges among the aspirants will be the candidate and the next Alaafin of Oyo,” he said.
Daily Sun gathered that members of Oyo Mesi were seriously divided over shortlisting of 10. Sources said the aggrieved kingmakers were part of the screening process for all the contestants, but distanced themselves from the release that shortlisted 10 of the princes for the next stage.
The Acting Regent, however, dismissed the insinuation that there of a rift among the kingmakers.
“We are as united as ever. Misunderstanding can happen at any given point in time; it is natural. What is important is the amicable resolution, in order not let the misunderstanding degenerate into violence. None of the Oyo Mesi members has a favoured aspirant. All the contestants are equal before us. For the umpteenth time, we are conscientious, thorough, not money conscious and not greedy.”
